February 2001

THE

PUBLICATION

OF

THE

U . S . CONFERENCE

OF

MENNONITE

BRETHREN

CHRISTIAN

ALSO IN THIS .~••V.=iii • A church with a heart • Following a heart for • Catholic-Mennonite dialogue ,.,,",1'1"1

MISSION USA NEWS

CHURCHES

INSIDE FEBRUARY

FIRST WORDS

2001

.•• from the editor

W

ALKING THROUGH THE STORES, it's not hard to realize that Valentine's Day is near. Red hearts plaster the windows, heart-shapped candy boxes sit on display and packages of Valentines litter the shelves.

As the day draws nearer, I find myself contemplating what I can get my husband to declare my love for him. Every year I go through the same thing. Flowers? Nab, too feminine.

Candy? Not his favorite. A card? It will likely end up with the rest of the cards I've purchased over the years-warmly read but soon collecting dust in a forgotton corner of the house.

No, the way to my husband's heart is through his stomacha roast, potatoes and carrots. It works every time.

I know what my husband's heart desires. When I contemplate how I can declare my love for God, I need to first understand what his heart desires as well. Our lead article gets at what God wants and what it means to be a child after his own heart. Danette Baltzer Roland takes a different perspective on David, exploring why God called him a "man after his own heart" and how we can learn from his example.

The other two articles in our feature section focus on where we can learn more about the heart of God-the Bible. The first takes a look at what is the message of the Bible, while the second explores what Scripture has to say about the popular health, wealth and power gospels.

The rest of the Leader is full of heart as well. The sixth in a series of church profiles reveals that South Texas La Grulla MB Church desires a heart as big as the state in which it resides. The lead story in BodyLife explores the ministries of two men who have a heart for youth. Also in BodyLife, you can read about the heart of our conference-the ministries supported by you and me.

This Valentine's Day, may you find ways to declare your heart to those you love-and may you also find a way to declare your love for God. God bless. -CA

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COMING • FEBRUARY 18, 2001-U.S. Conference Peace Sunday • MARCH 9-12, 2001-New pastors' orientation, MB Biblical Seminary, British Columbia

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FEBRUARY 2001 CHRISTIAN

LEAnER VOLUME 64, NUMBER 2

FEATURES 4 After God's own heart What does it mean to be a child after God's own heart?

BY DANETIE BALTZER ROLAND

7 The message of the Bible The church's story can be rightly understood only as a continuation of Israel's story-but what exactly is Israel's story and how does the New Testament continue that story? BY JOHN MILLER

10 Beware of false gospels Are the gospels of health, wealth and power based on selective use of Scripture? BY DANIEL J. REINFORD

DEPARTMENTS What Readers Say . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .... . 14 Ph'lip Side . ..... ... ... . .. . . .. . . .. by Philip Wiebe 16 •

Commercial ventures

Inquiring Minds .... ... ... . . . ...... by Marvin Hein 17 •

Whence comes worship styles and which is biblical?

On the Journey .. ... . ..... . .... . by Rose Buschman 18 •

Good gifts are given anytime

Special Feature: Church profile . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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20

Texas church welcomes change 20 First South Texas relief sale held this month 21

BodyLife ... .. .. . ..... .. .... . ... .. ...... ... ... 22 • Following a heart for youth 22 • • • • • •

U.S. MB ministries meet, plan 25 New board considers faith and life issues 26 MCC responds to earthquake 27 Indonesia: Answering a different call 28 MBMSI partners in Indonesia 29 Catholic dialogue continues 30

In Brief ................ . .......... . .......... 31 Church News & Notes ...................... . .... 33 Editorial ... .. ........ ........ . .. . ........ .. . 36 •

For such a time as this

ART CREDITS: Cover, DigitalStock; pages 4 and 6, DigitalStock.

All other art or photos not credited are Leader owned or generated.

Printing by Valley Offset Printing, Valley Center, Kansas.

EDITOR Carmen Andres

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Connie Faber

BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair; Peggy Goertzen, Harold Loewen, Phil Neufeld, Dalton Reimer.

The Christian Leader (lSSN 0009-S149) is published monthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the' events, activities, decisions and issues of their denomination, and to instruct, inspire and initiate dialogue so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical/Anabaptist theological tradition. However, the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church.

The editors invite free-lance article submissions, essays to Forum and letters to the editor. Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churches. The essays can address any issue of relevance and interest to the faith and life of the Mennonite Brethren Church and should be no longer than BOO words and include the home church and occupation of the writer. A SASE must accompany articles and forum essays.

The Christian Leader is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ editors.

WESTERN OFFICE: Carmen Andres, Editor 7531 Delta Wind Dr. Sacramento, California 95831 Phone: (916) 424-5710 Fax: (253) 369-9423 E-mail: chleader@jps.net MIDWEST OFFICE: Connie Faber, Associate Editor Box V, 315 S. Lincoln Hillsboro, Kansas 67063 Phone: (316) 947-5543 Fax: (316) 947-3266 E-mail: chleader@southwind.net Subscription rates are $16 for one year, $30 for two years, and $42 for three years ($20, $38 and $54 in Canada); $1.50 per copy. All subscription requests and address changes should be sent to the Circulation Secretary at the Midwest Office. All advertising inquiries should be made to the Western Office.

Postmaster: Send address changes to the Christian Leader, Box V, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, Kansas.

FEBRUARY

2001

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BALTZER

ROLAND

woman and a man-it plays like a soap opera.

JJ;._~~; 'Pan sees the woman and decides that he wants her, that he needs her. Then ' et4~:!S pregnant, and there is no possibility of pretending it is her husband's

() a plan is made. The husband will die in an "accident." The plot succeeds and the woman marries the man without too much thought. The man even looks

What does

it mean to

be a child after God's

heroic for taking the pregnant woman in when her husband dies.

All looked well, except that someone knew everything.

Just like a soap opera on lV, there was an audience-but this audience wasn't a passive participant. It was God and the man was David, the king God had chosen to rule over his chosen people.

So God sent Nathan, a prophet, to David to confront him with his sin and let him know that the baby that Bathsheba conceived would die as a result of his adul-

own heart?

tery and murder. God saw David's actions as murder even though he never laid a hand on Uriah, Bathsheba's husband. David failed God. He sinned against him. As soon as Nathan spoke the words of judgment, David repented.

I have heard this story used many times to illustrate that David was "a man after God's own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14). But why should David be called that after sinning and repenting, when after all, a lot of people in the Old and New Testaments-as well as people today-have sinned and repented?

Maybe it wasn't the repentant heart that made David a man after God's own heart after all.

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The making of a king But going God's way wasn't going to be easy.

David was chosen by God to be king when he was David didn't know how the kingship would be little more than a boy at a time when the people of turned over to him. He just knew that he had to conIsrael already had a king. God had anointed Saul king tinue to obey. after the Israelites insisted they have a king like the Saul eventually became tormented by his own other nations. God was preparing a king. From Gene- desire for power and demons that God allowed to sis we know that a king would be chosen to head up torture him. He became an enemy of God. the line from which the Messiah would be born.

When Saul realized that God was with David, he So, why didn't God just hold off on giving them a decided to kill him. God protected David, but it king until David was ready? Because David was not wasn't an easy road. David was a fugitive of the law.

He and his small band of followers were continually the king they wanted. They wanted a king like the other countries had-a decisive man who could fighting with Saul and other enemies of the Israelites.

They left wives, children and comfort behind in order stand up on his own two feet and battle their enemies or bargain with them for peace. Samuel was to follow God . The Psalms recorded David's misery too conservative. He waited on God for everything as he cries out to God about how miserable it is to be and wasn't a "leader." So God gave them Saul. chased and hunted down (Ps.142). But all the while, Saul was not a terrible king, but he wasn't the king David talked to God, looking to him for direction, God wanted. God wanted someone who would talk to guidance and all his physical and spiritual needs even him directly. Much like the priests, he wanted a king as the road grew rougher. who would talk to him and go to him before going in In 1 Sam. 23, the Philistines attack Keilah. David to battle-or would wait if the time wasn't right. talks to God before he determines to fight the Saul was impulsive and his own man. He had Philistines. When his men disagree, David goes back to common sense. In 1 Sam. 15, when Samuel told Saul God. "Do you really want me to do this or is it my own that God wanted him to kill all the people and every desire? My men don't want to go. What do you want?" animal and destroy everything of the Amalekites, God says, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give Saul went his own way. God's plan didn't make the Philistines into your hand." It was right for David sense to him. He didn't see the point in killing every- to help his people. It was his first impulse, but before thing when the strong cattle of the Amalekites could he went he talked to God. be used for sacrifice and make him more wealthy.

Why kill the king when keeping him prisoner would After God's own heart give Saul leverage with other nations and make him I often struggled with what made David a "man look even stronger? God was a distant voice that after God's own heart. " It didn't seem to fit that an came to Saul from a simple priest. Who was God act of sin and repentance could make David the kind anyway? of man God wanted. So what was it?

That was the man God rejected.

As I read and reread the stories of David and Saul The man God chose was out in the fields, a mere and the other kings of the Bible, I came to realize it was how David talked to God. boy (1 Sam. 16). The youngest of his father'S sons, David was a shepherd. He had no military experiDavid talked to God about everything. He talked ence or previous leadership qualifications. He was a to God when he was hungry, scared or didn't know young man who prayed in the pastures and sang what to do. He talked to him when he did know psalms to God. what to do but wanted God's approval. And when But even as a boy, David showed that he fit God 's David sinned he didn't just repent and change his criteria for a great man. When a lion and bear life as we are sometimes led to believe. He got back attacked him, he was not afraid to fight back because on his knees and started talking to God again.

After Nathan told David that his son would die he knew that God was on his side. He talked to God. He spent his time alone, hearing God's voice and lis- because of his transgressions, David began praying, tening to what God told him. When the Philistines petitioning that God have mercy (2 Sam. 12: 15-23). I were fighting the Israelites and Goliath challenged assumed that David would recognize the justness of someone to fight, David didn't hesitate (1 Sam. 17).

God's actions and just keep his mouth closed, but he Knowing God's ways, he knew that no one could didn't . He called out for God's mercy, desiring that stand against his God . David was obedient to God's his little one be spared. But the child was taken. call, picked up the stones and killed the giant, realizThe most astounding thing comes after the child ing all the while that only God could kill a giant with died. David rises, cleans himself up and begins to eat. When his servants ask him why he would do five stones. While others stood there with swords and armor, David stood with God. this-after all, the appropriate time to mourn is after FEBR U ARY

David talked to God about everything.

He talked to God when he was hungry, scared or didn't know what to do.

He talked to him when he did know what to do but wanted God's approval.

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GOD'S HEART

God can stili kill giants with stoneshe is just waiting for someone to hear his voice and pick them up.

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someone dies-David says, "While the child was still alive, I faste d and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.'

But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me" (22-23) . David prayed for mercy and when it didn't come, h e stood up and accepted what God had done- no more m ourning, sorrow or bitterness that God had taken an innocent life because of what David had done.

David truly communed with God. He didn't wait for Samuel or Nathan to tell him what God would do. He talked to God himself. On the rare occasion God had to use someone else to talk to him, David responded by going back on his knees. God was his friend, comforter and deliverer. God was David's beginning and end. He looked to God morning and night for wisdom.

Saul was an example of What a broken relationship with God looks like. lie didn't talk to God. Saul waited for Samuel to tell him what God wanted . If what God said made sense, Saul obeyed. If not, then he did what made sense to him. He was happy to listen to God as long as God was giving him what he wanted. And when God spoke judgment on Saul, Saul tried to kill God's vessel.

Not many of us are like Saul. We are not so sure of ourselves as to actually try to undo what God wants done, but we do tum away from God as Saul did.

Several years ago, we had an experience in our congregation that shook our faith. One of our members became ill, and the family became divided over custody of the member's children. While there were divisions in the church about this situation, prayers went up for healing and reconciliation. But our prayers were unheeded. The member died and the family' continued to fight over custody.

Where was God? Why didn't he hear our calls?

Many in our congregation struggled with praying for healing when it seemed that God would do what he wanted anyway. Our relationship with God was injured.

Being a foster parent has taught me a lot about what a broken relationship with God is like. Foster children come in to your home without trust in their , own parents-let alone you, a stranger. They feel that you are someone keeping them from their parent and an obstacl'e to 'g etting what they want. Our foster son in particular has struggled with understanding why we want him to tell us if he is going to be late or ask before he takes off around the comer. He has even said on occasion, "Would you-never mind you probably won't let me anyway." Rather than be disappointed, he just didn't ask. He thought I was too mean to let him do things with his friends. He didn't trust that

CHRISTIAN

LEADER

if I said "no" there might be something better ahead or accept my response as reasonable in light of his misbehavior. We have a broken relationship. All I can do is to wait until he "gets" it-until he asks me for things to which I can say "yes" or he's open to allow me to help him see how the alternative is better if I say "no."

God is waiting for us to talk to him. He paid the way when Christ died on the cross so that we could all talk to him the way David did- about everything.

He wants to hear our complaints and sadness. He waits to support us and give us good things.

Because we see that sometimes God does what needs to be done without our prayers, we assume that our prayers mean nothing. We stop talking. We speak perfunctory prayers that include our lists of needs and wants because we feel guilty for not praying. God becomes someone that we speak to on Sunday mornings. We wait for the preacher to tell us what God is saying-and if the preacher isn't "feeding" us, he has a problem.

David didn't wait for Samuel and Nathan to "feed" him. He spoke to God himself. He talked to God, and God gave him more than he ever dreamed. He didn't wait for the Sabbath to find out what God wanted. He called out to God daily and listened when God spoke directly to him. And when God told him to pick up the stones and kill the giant, he obeyed.

We won't be like David by deciding to have more faith, be more sorrowful for what we have done or suffer to be obedient. David models what it is to be a child after God's heart because he built a relationship with God. He talked to God and he listened when God talked to him. He didn't pick up the stones to kill Goliath because he knew he had a good aim. He wasn't surprised or questioning when he heard God telling him to use them. He knew God's voice well enough that he didn't question. He picked up the stones because he knew God and knew that God could kill the giant no matter what David used. But God used those stones so that no one would doubt who had killed Goliath.

The God of David is our God. He is waiting for us to talk to and commune with him directly. He doesn't want us to wait on our pastors and leaders to tell us what to do. The God of the ancient kings is our God, comforter, deliverer and provider. God can still kill giants with stones-he is just waiting for someone to hear his voice and pick them up . •

Danette Baltzer Roland is a freelance writer living in Denver, Colo., with her husband and four children. They have also had three foster children, two of whom are currently living with them. They are members of Garden Park Church in Denver.

BlBLE Those who created the frrst Christian Bible were making a statement. By adding Christian scriptures to Israel's scriptures in a single book, they were saying that the

church's story can rightly be understood only as a continuation of Israel's story. But what exactly is Israel's story and how does the New Testament continue that story?

the

BY

JOHN

MILLER

are aware that there are many wonderful stories in the Old Testament, ss awareness that these stories are woven into a longer narrative that is nderstanding the New Testament.

IU-II34lIO

question where the story told in Israel's scriptures begins-with God

creating the heavens and the earth. From that point, the Old Testament books take us through history. But where does the story end?

Here there is some confusion, due in part to the way the Old Testament books are arranged in the Christian Bible. In the Jewish Bible, the same 39 books are arranged differently. Instead of the prophetic books being at the end, suggesting that this is how the story ends, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and the Twelve Minor Prophets are located right after 2 Kings where they belong chronologically. Ezra, Nehemiah and Chronicles are at the end of the collection.

Thus, in the Jewish Bible, what we learn about Israel's restoration in Ezra and Nehemiah is the climax and close of Israel's story. First and Second Chronicles summarize and retell, with additions, the story told in Genesis to Ezra and Nehemiah.

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BIBLE

A drama in three ads I think of this long story as a drama of hope for the world in three acts.

• Act One. Act One is the remarkable account in Genesis 1-11 of the origins of nations. Here we learn about the beginning of the world, of human beings made in God's image and of God 's desire that they become co-regents in the care ofthe world .

Here we learn of the origins of the family and the human bent toward willfulness, violence and anarchy, of a catastrophic flood and God's detennination, despite human evil, to care for the world and its diverse peoples. Here we are told of God's decrees to Noah's descendants to restrain violence by distinguishing between killing an animal and killing a human being: "Whoever spills the blood of a human being, by a human being shall his blood be spilled, for in his own image God made humankind" (Gen. 9:6).

Only now, with these decrees in place, can nations and civilizations arise and flourish under the blessing of God (Gen. 10). The stage is set for a human history characterized by divided families and nations marred by pride, but still cared for by God and richly blessed. Act One defines the biblical story

as a world story.

• Act Two. The second act unfolds against this background, beginning with God's summons to Abraham and Sarah. If they follow God's leading, God will create through them a people that will both be blessed and bring blessing to all nations (Gen. 12-13). The story continues with their descendants' slavery in Egypt, liberation, wilderness wanderings, revelations at Sinai, the return to the Promised Land and the miraculous growth of this people under David into nationhood.

Right at this moment-when a great temple has been built, blessings abound and hopes are high that other peoples might come to know their Godthings go seriously wrong. Solomon opens Israel's doors to other gods and values (1 Kings 11:1-8).

Disintegration follows, despite attempts at state refonns by kings Hezekiah and Josiah. Then comes almost total annihilation at the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians (2 Kings 17-25).

Act Two is the origin, rise, apostasy and near destruction of a people called by God to be blessed and to be a blessing to all nations.

• Act Three. Act Three begins with prophets who appear just at the point when Israel's territory

I think of this long story as a

drama of hope for the world.

8 • T

is being invaded. Israel has lost its way. But God still loves you, says the prophets. There is hope for the future.

In about 70 years, you will be restored to your homeland, Jeremiah says to the captives in Babylon.

You will return to God and God's law will be written on your heart. Isaiah says, You shall be a light to the nations so that God's salvation may reach the remotest parts of the earth.

Ezra, Nehemiah and Chronicles tell the story of how these hopes begin to be fulfilled (Ezra 1: 1). The Persian monarch Cyrus restores the Israelite people to their homeland and the temple is rebuilt (Ezra 6) .

Ezra's renewing mission to this community is inaugurated, and the scriptures he has assembled are introduced during a week-long convention (Neh. 8). Those willing to do so pray for guidance as they listen to their story, then make a covenant with their God to walk in his ways (Nehemiah 9-10).

This is a new Israel, not a kingdom led by kings, but a people freely covenanted to walking in the light of the teachings now enshrined in their Scriptures. This is the climax of the three-act drama of hope for the world set forth in Israel's scriptures.

Adding the Christian story Writing around 200 A.D., the church father Tertullian refers to a momentous action by the church at Rome. Besieged by hereSies, the church took steps to "unite" certain Christian scriptures ("Evangelists and Apostles," he calls them) with the older Israelite scriptures ("Law and Prophets"). Thus began the process of publishing these scriptures together in a single volume.

How does the Christian story connect with Israel's story? As noted, Israel's story is not just about Israel but about God the creator who is sovereign over all peoples. Israel's story only makes sense when it is read against the background story of the willful, proud and divided peoples in Genesis 1-11.

Israel was called to be a light and a blessing to these troubled nations. Its scriptures end on a note of renewal and hope. But in the third and second centuries B.C., Israel's faith was severely tested when the Greeks and Romans took Persia's place as rulers. Israel was ravaged by cruel persecutions.

Prayers went up to God for deliverance.

In 167 B.C., a war of liberation erupted within Israel, resulting in a temporary but very fragile restoration of Israel's kingdom. Many began praying for the coming of an Anointed One (a Messiah), someone like David who in the power of God would gather Israel's scattered tribes, purge her of sinners and restore her kingdom so powerfully that God would be exalted at a place to be seen by all nations .

It is against this background of intense messianic expectations that we see the connection to the church's story, for in the Christian scriptures we read how the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth quickly came to the conclusion that he was the Anointed One, the Messiah, for whom so many had been praying.

How excited they must have been as Jesus proclaimed that God's kingdom was near-but also how puzzled when he did nothing to bring about the anticipated events but simply "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38).

And how puzzled they must have been when he portrayed God's kingdom, not as the unfolding of a grand, cosmic scenario, but in images of seeds growing, dough rising, workers generously compensated, lost sheep and sons being found . Yet when he spoke of going to Jerusalem for Passover their hearts beat high with expectation.

For them this meant one thing: Jesus was about to be revealed as the messianic king. So certain were they that they could not hear him say he was going to Jerusalem not to be served, like a great king, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many.

These first followers were not cowards. If they betrayed and forsook Jesus it was not because their courage was weak. Rather, when they saw him arrested and put on trial, their faith in him as Messiah simply drained away. They had thought he was the one who would redeem Israel and reveal God to the world.

Even as their faith was being restored through the resurrection they were still wondering if Israel's kingdom would be restored (Acts 1:6). They were told to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit, and then they would have power to be Jesus' witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends ofthe earth (Acts 1:8). In this way, and not through Israel's kingdom, would Israel's God be exalted among the nations and God's kingdom dawn.

The book of Acts describes how this begins to happen. Jesus will come back, but in the meantime, through God's spirit at work in the lives of his disciples, Israel's calling to be a light to the nations is being powerfully activated.

"You are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world!" (Matt. 5:13.14). "In you all the families ofthe earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:3) . •

Israel's story is not just about Israel but about God the creator who • 1S• sovere1gn over all peoples.

Israel's story only makes sense when it is read against the background story of the willful, proud and divided people in Genesis 1·11.

John Miller taught Bible at Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ont., before he retired. This article first appeared in Canadian Mennonite.

FEBRUARY

2001.

9

Are the . . .pels of

wealth, h.alth and power holding the GoodNews captive?

am astonished that you are so qUickly . .. turning to a different gospelh is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into sion" (Gal. 1:6, 7a). ul wrote these words to the Galatians who were insisting that Gentile converts to Christianity abide by certain Old Testament rites, especially circumcision. Gospel means "good news," but the gospel the Galatians were embracing was actually bad news because it was enslaving people rather than liberating them.

Today, we encounter our own false gospels. Perversions of the gospel inspire false hope and sooner or later lead to disillusionment, even despair.

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FALSE GOSPELS

The gospel of wealth A 1V evangelist shouts to his audience, "What is the desire of your heart? Name it, claim it by faith, and it is yours! Your heavenly Father has promised it. It's right there in the Bible" (Christianity Today, June 14, 1985).

Is it really in the Bible? Jesus did say, "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the f ather. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it" Gohn 14:13-14).

Later, though, Jesus told the same disciples, "A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God .. . . I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you .... In this world you will have trouble" Gohn 16:2, 4, 33).

In the Old Testament, wealth is often associated with godly living, but that is not true in the New Testament. Even Jesus had "no place to lay his head" (Luke 9:58). And the apostle Paul writes, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Phil. 4:11). Neither wealth nor poverty is an ideal; the goal is sufficiency, and surplus is called into question. Paul warns against the desire to get rich (1 Tim. 6:9-1 1), then adds: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us everything for out enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Tim. 6: 17-19).

The gospel of health Jack Hayford, a California pastor, tells this story: "When my oldest son was born, his feet pointed directly outward. At first we all thought this would remedy itself. But by the time he was beginning to pull himself to his feet, nothing had changed. For months special shoes were placed on him and it appeared the next step was leg braces, for still no improvement occurred ... . [Anna, my wife] had just left one doctor's office for another. The first, who had been caring for little Jack, had recommended the baby be fit with braces and given therapy by an advanced specialist. Anna had just boarded a bus en route to another specialist that morning and, with the baby in her lap and hands grasping his feet, she simply prayed, 'Lord Jesus, you know how much I would like this little boy's feet to be all right.'

That was the entire prayer. Yet minutes later, as she disembarked from the bus, she looked with astonishment at her son's feet-they were perfectly straight. What months in remedial shoes had not changed has been rectified by the touch of Jesus in 15 minutes" (Charisma, February 1987).

I love that story. But I also think of Joni Eareckson Tada and the diving accident about 30 years ago that has kept her in a wheelchair ever since. During these years she has received many letters chiding her for her lack of faith in claiming divine healing. She and other suffering Christians often lament the fact that fellow Christians are sometimes a greater source of pain than is their bodily affliction.

The gospel of health, like the gospel of wealth, is based on a selective use of SCripture.

Peruersions of the gospel inspire false hope and sooner or later lead to disillusionment, euen despair.

FALSE GOSPELS

The Old Testament sees no conflict between Elisha's involuement in the miraculous healing of the leper Daaman and Elisha's own illness, which was not healed.

The prophet Elisha was a great miracle worker.

Even after he died and was buried, a miracle occurred (2 Kings 13:21). Buy why had Elisha died?

Second Kings 13: 14 tells us he died of a lingering disease. The Old Testament sees no conflict between Elisha's involvement in the miraculous healing of the leper Naaman and Elisha's own illness, which was not healed. The Bible simply records the facts without any judgmental attitude toward Elisha's failure to recover.

And we find the same balanced message in the New Testament. On the one hand, Paul reports that Epaphroditus "was ill, and almost died. But God has mercy on him" (Phil. 2:27) . On the other hand, he informs Timothy that he left Trophimus behind in Miletus because he was sick (2 Tim. 4:20) . In Lystra, Paul healed a crippled man who had never walked (Acts 14:8-10), but he advised Timothy to "stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Tim. 5:23). King Herod had James beheaded, but Peter was miraculously delivered from prison (Acts 12). Then there is Paul's "thorn in the flesh," which persisted despite Paul's repeated pleas (2 Cor. 12:7,8) .

Years ago, Charles Colson of Prison Fellowship had a bout with cancer. During his hospital stay he came to see the health-and-wealth gospel as a stumbling block to evangelism. On his nightly walks through the hospital corridors, dragging his IV pole, he often met an Indian man whose twoyear-old son had had two failed kidney transplants, a brain aneurysm and was now blind for life. Colson writes: "When the father, a Hindu, discovered that I was a Christian, he asked if God would heal his son if he too would be born again. He said he had heard things like that on television. As I listened, I realized how arrogant health-and-wealth religion sounds to suffering families. Christians can all be spared suffering, but little Hindu children go blind. 1 told my Hindu friend about Jesus. Yes, he may miraculously intervene in our lives. But we come to God, not because of what he may do to spare us suffering, but because Christ is truth.

What he does promise us is much more-the forgiveness of sin and eternal life" (Christianity Today, April 3, 1987).

The gospel of power What do you consider the greatest miracle on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)? Was it the rush of a violent wind? Was it the tongues of fire that settled on each person present? Was it the gift of tongues that enabled people of different nationalities to understand what was being said? Or was the great-

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est miracle that day the repentance of 3,000 people and the birth of the Christian church, the creation of a new community of faith that eventually became worldwide?

A generation later, the Christians at COrinth were priding themselves on their spectacular spiritual gifts, especially the gift of tongues. But Paul tells them, "I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly-mere infants in Christ" (1 Cor. 3:1). Does this not suggest that spectacular or even miraculous gifts are not in themselves evidence of spirituality?

Why should anyone be rewarded for gifts received? God is much more concerned about the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). But it takes time for fruit to develop, and we live in an age in which people want instant results or some supernatural evidence as assurance of their salvation.

Tom Houston was a Baptist miSSionary to Kenya, later the communication director for the British and Foreign Bible Society, then director of the Lausanne Conference for World Evangelism. More than 20 years ago he wrote: "I get two sets of signals from my Bible. There are pictures about rushing mighty winds, floods, baptisms by fire, places shaking and so on-all symbols of-power, force, violence, coercion, crashing, breaking, burning, overwhelming, all big and great and grand.

"On the other hand, 1 hear about God not being in the wind and the fire and the earthquake but in the still small voice. 1 hear about it not being by 'might' or 'power' but-strange to say-'by my Spirit.'

"Now being the kind of person 1 am, I cannot stand the great and the grand. It goes to my head, and that will not do. So I have to want the Spirit of Truth rather than the Spirit of Power . . .. I believe that God brings out the range of gifts and experiences that are needed for each situation and each person. I believe in the Holy Spirit who brought me to Jesus when I was not looking for him, who has kept me alive when the odds were that I should die as a Christian, who consistently reduces me to size (so he can use me), who still seems to work in other lives through me, sovereignly as he chooses for the glory of Jesus" (Eternity, August 1975) .

The good news of the gospel is that we can be set free from the guilt of sins in our past, from the control of sin in the present and from the very presence of sin in the future . Freedom from sin's gUilt and addictions and an eternity in heaven- that is good news .•

Daniel j. Reinford lives in Kulpsville, Penn. Ibis article first appeared in The Mennonite.

Sunday Morning at South Mountain CommlUlity Church '"We seek to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all people/ - Purpose Statement, SMCC What brings people to South Mountain? ''It's the joy!" say enthusiastic church members. A typical Sunday morning service begins with vibrant and meaningful worship that both inspires and enlightens.

Worship time is led by Associate Pastor Mike Bell and a fIrst-rate worship team.

Lead Pastor Paul Robie teaches the Bible in a way which edifIes both believers and seekers. As the congregation disperses, the "community" of the group will continue. Activities scheduled for a typical week include a dessert time at the Rabies for new attenders, men's and women's Bible studies, small group meetings and fellowship events.

SMCC began services Oct. 4,1998 in a location that would accommodate 100 people.

In a year and a half a larger facility was needed. Now less than one year later the second facility is nearing capacity with Sunday morning attendance of250. More importantly, dozens have been saved and baptized.

South Mountain Community Church is located at 12411 S. 265 w., Draper, UT 84020. Visitors are always welcomel Come see how God is working in this suburban community in the Wasatch Mountains just south of Salt Lake City. SMCC is a Mennonite Brethren Church planted in partnership with Mission USA, the Pacific District and the Laurelglen Bible Church of Bakersfield, Calif. Contact Ed Boschman at the Mission USA office to leam how you can participate in the planting of new churches, church renewal, and leadership training. Mission USA, 333 West Melinda Lane, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 850272926. Phone: 623-434-3301, Fax: 623-434-3299.

MISSION USA BOARD: Brad Barnes, Bakersfield, CA Ed Boschman, Phoenix, AZ Phil Glanzer, New Hope, MN Joe Johns, Weatherford, OK Loretta Jost, Aurora, NE Brad Klassen, Glendale, AZ Nancy Laverty, Jones, OK

Fred Leonard, Clovis, CA Bill Loewen, Wichita, KS Stephen Reimer, Shafter, CA Randy Steinert, Bakersfield, CA Gary Wall, Lcdi, CA

Ex Officio Members: Henry Dick, Fresno, CA Roland Reimer, Wichita, KS Clint Seibel, Hillsboro, KS Jim Westgate, Fresno, CA

FEBR U AR Y

200 1

•

13

WHAT READERS SAY

Good missions issue Kudos on a masterful portrait of 101 Years of Mission (December 2000). Clarence Hiebert has done us a great service in condensing those years, without embellishment, into a fascinating and readable report.

And John Redekop has expressed as succinctly as I have seen the struggles in relationships and financial dilemmas we face in dealing with our worldwide fellowship.We feel fortunate to have had a small part in that saga. Although our experience has not been on an "MB mission station" as such, the board has been very gracious and flexible over those years in supporting us in cooperative mission settings-the only way to reach into otherwise "closed" countries such as Mghanistan.

Incidentally, many people think the work of lAM (International Assistance Mission) and other similar groups has stopped or slowed with the arrival of the notorious Taliban. Amazingly, in spite of their bizarre rule, the lAM continues strong in five locations scattered around the country, with over 100 workers. But prayer is urgently needed, especially now again, with new sanctions being imposed by the UN. Perhaps a matter of trivia yet, for the sake of accuracy, the by now well-known "10-40 window" referred to on page 12 should be 10 degrees south to 40 degrees north (latitude) instead of the reverse.

Herb and Ruth Friesen Hillsboro, Kan.

More suggestions on school violence Your issue on school violence (January 2001) was full of interesting observations and good suggestions given by The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church. All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length.

Send letters to Christian Leader, 7531 Delta Wind Dr., Sacramento, CA 95831 (e-mail: chleader@jps.net).

14 • THE

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teachers, administrators, and pastors. As a former public school teacher and parent of two public school students, I'd like to offer two more. These suggestions come right after prayer (including establishing one or more Moms in Touch groups for every school), establishing what is right and wrong in the home and classroom, and setting a good example by your own behavior.

• Bust the bad guys! Make their lives miserable! Establish justice and maintain it. When people know that justice will be done, they are less likely to take the law into their own hands for wrongs done to them. Where there is no justice, there is great violence. Justice establishes peace.

Where there is peace, folks can safely raise kids, economies can flourish, couples can take walks in the moonlight and kids can study.

As a corollary, stop letting the bad guys set the standards for behavior. At my daughter's school, kids have been forbidden to wear plain, hooded sweatshirts because it is a "gang" symbol. 1 say, bust the gangs! Why should they be making our lives miserable?

The same goes for what kids are watching on lV. Schools think they are so helpless in the face of overwhelming media messages. What is wrong with saying "Our students are honorable. They don't dress like that, they don't do those things, and they don't give any time to lV or music that suggests bad behavior."

There is nothing wrong with schools firmly delivering the message that bad lV is bad for you.

• The larger schools are, the more impersonal they become. I'd like to add a suggestion to the list of examples given showing how churches can intervene and influence the lives of young people to prevent violence.

There should be plenty of adults around schools listening and interacting with students. Volunteer community members trained in school policy and what to do in various "what if' scenarios should be greeting kids at the door, takLEA 0

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ing note of what is happening with them with such lines as, "Good mOrning, Juan!

You're over your cold? Good to see you back in school" or "Usa, orange hair!

We'll remember you like this forever."

These same folks should be Sitting down with kids at lunch, talking, eating, playing chess or throwing a ball outside, listening to them, helping with homework, establishing that kids are important. If volunteers are from the same neighborhood the kids live in, they'll be able to do these same things in their own neighborhood. Troubled kids will know where to go for advice or assistance. There is an analogous truth to that saying "The watched pot never boils." People who know their behavior is being noticed are less likely to blow.

Finally, we should not underestimate the power of a church body to reclaim its neighborhood for Jesus Christ. Establishing the kingdom of God won't happen easily in the public schools.

Molly Crocker Ferndale, Wash.

Jesus would care While Mr. Wiebe generally has a good reputation for writing with integrity, his position on national politics and the presidential election in "Election Reflections" (Ph'lip Side, January 2001) is both disturbing and disappointing. It is painfully apparent that Mr. Wiebe is not concerned about politics unless he is impacted directly and personally; and he references the greater importance of state elections. While readily conceding differences between the political parties, he claims ambivalence about modem "party lines" in politics and goes on to say that "I didn't think either one (Bush or Gore) would make a major (or even minor) difference in the direction of the country once they got elected."

While Mr. Wiebe is entitled to his opinion, such statements seem incomprehensible and inexcusable in a publication that strives to promote a responsicontinued on page 33

What

Mennonite Brethren Foundation can do for We can be of assistance to you ... encouraging and assisting in faithful stewardship.

• Ministry Investment Fund • Charitable trusts • Gift annuities • Donor-advised funds Mennonite Brethren Foundation Staff: (front) Kim Kroeker, Ross Merritt; (middle) Lynford Becker, Donna Sullivan, Shawna Vogt; (back) Dale Regier, Ron Sorensen, Jon Wiebe

• Charitable estate planning • Facilitating gifts

Bringing together a financial community of faith

• Providing capital for our churches and institutions • Endowment management • Stewardship education

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PH'UP SIDE BY

PHILIP

WIEBE

Commercial ventures The church has something to learn from pop culture and the advertising age.

I

n recent years I've become intrigued by

Car and truck commercials seem especially prone the philosophy of television commercials. I toward questionable don't mean their marketing philosophies philosophies of life. Several decades ago during an oil or presentation of the products themcrisis in which gas prices selves, but the interesting worldview that comes soared and gas station lines wound around the block, through in many lV ads. there was a brief period The other day I saw a commercial, when auto ads were predominantly for instance, in which a tough, grizzled practical and gas-mileage oriented. rancher was out doing chores in his How interesting that now, in a day hulking pickup truck. The narrator when energy crises and environmental mentioned a certain popular movie-a concerns loom even larger, most cars "relationship" movie or "chick-flick" as and trucks have grown in size and they are often derogatorily called-and most vehicle advertising has come to how this guy had never seen it. The focus on material excess and insulaimplication was that the guy wouldn't tion from the natural world. be caught dead watching such a movie.

The commercial that first got me Then in the very next ad, a beautiful thinking about all this depicted a famiyoung woman walked into a coffeely traveling in their van through some house and seductively approached a spectacular mountain country. The handsome young man working on a camera moved slowly from a wide computer. He was immediately taken shot of the mountains, to the interior with her, at which point she "accidenof the van where mom and dad sat tally" spilled coffee into his lap. While comfortably in front, to the next row he went to clean up she used his comwhere two kids were . .. watching the puter to do some online business, onboard lV. I simply couldn't believe then disappeared from the scene. The it . These people were driving through ad didn't bother to show how the some of most stunning scenery on young man felt when he realized he'd earth and they preferred the synthetic merely been burned, soiled and taken world of television? At the time it advantage of. struck me as a fitting symbol for our I was amazed how these commerage. cials reinforced two blatant stereoSince then I've noticed what an types that our culture continually talks affront to nature and humanity many about getting past. The macho guy auto commercials are. People in the can't be bothered with relationship ads are continually breaking the speed stuff and does what he wants while laws, driving destructively over fragile roaring down the road in his pickup. terrain and guzzling far more than The beautiful woman uses her looks to their share of energy resources in giant get what she wants, and doesn't care trucks and SINs. The latest ad to incite who she uses or hurts in the process. my ire is one in which a young couple And all these dark undertones are gets into their sporty sedan and drive masked in the commercials by a sunny, out through the countryside to an flippant atmosphere that makes such awesome canyon vista. What they do actions seem cool. there is this: roll down the window,

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snap a picture, then drive home. This commercial makes me want to yell, "Get out of your car and walk around a little! Maybe for once you'll see something besides your own reflection in the windshield."

With all the silly and degrading television commercials out there, one could get the idea that the general public isn't really very smart these days. But a report I heard makes me wonder if just the opposite is truethat it's the Madison Avenue advertising slickster, not the average consumer, who needs to wise up. Many of us remember the Taco Bell advertising campaign of last year that featured a talking chihuahua. Surveys showed these ads to be wildly popular. Even I, the ultimate pop-culture skeptic, liked some of them. Yet here is the fascinating thing: Taco Bell sales actually went down during the chihuahua campaign, and the ads were eventually scrapped. Maybe people do prefer quality products over entertaining commercials.

The church has something to learn from this. Like it or not, our marketing and programming strategies are heavily influenced by pop culture and the advertising age. There are times when we too fall into patterns of style over substance, hype over reality. And perhaps there are times when we don't give the unchurched folks enough credit. We try to get them interested with a variety of "hooks" and "teasers," when all they really want, even if they don't quite know it yet, are quality connections with God and others.

Of course we want to be highly proactive in our attempts to attract people to Jesus and the kingdom way of life. We need to keep developing the most dynamic worship, helpful teaching, engaging programming and meaningful relationship opportunities we possibly can. The true test, however, is found in what happens after people arrive. Will they see our "advertising" attempts as mere hype or as the doorway to the deeper level of life they've been seeking?

INQUIRlNG MINDS BY

MARVIN

HEIN

This is the second offour columns focusing on worship styles in response to the September 2000 column askingfor reader comments about contemporary and traditional worship.

Q A

From whence comes the contemporary worship movement?

A respondent who confesses he doesn't "begrudge clapping, dancing or even doing the wave" writes: "It would be foolish to claim that the contemporary worship trend is in response to a biblical mandate. My generation worships that way because it feels right . .. . The MB contemporary service trend has its origins in the charismatic movement . .. . Rock and roll is 50 years old and has been the unchallenged music of choice with at least two full generations .... We of the rock and roll generation want a beat and we want to move. (And, if a lyric is good, it is worth repeating a few dozen times!)"

A contemporary worship leader, attributing the current trend toward physically demonstrative worship to the mid-70's Vineyard movement, says: "Contemporary worship seeks to engage the culture using cultural language. It reflects the fact that God is working now, in the present, in our contemporary experience and our worship of him takes the language that we use today. " The traditionalist responds: "Why must we copy the largely pagan entertainment culture for our worship styles?" A boomer agrees-but-disagrees: "Praise music is a hybrid of Guy Lombardo's singability with the Beatle's instrumentation," but "it could be argued that modem praise music is more church-originated and sacred than some of the borrowed beer hall melodies in our hymnals." The most common argument for this new style is church growth. "I haven't been to any growing MB church which doesn't use contemporary music (perhaps with the exception of British Columbia's Chinese churches)," says an itinerant MB missionary.

A common response is shared by a reader: "What is the rationale for sitting without expression when you are worshipping such a great God . . . when sit-

ting emotionless and motionless while songs are repeated by rote in disconnected fashion ... ?" A former Vineyard enthusiast counters when he objects to contemporary worship'S "shallow and narrow emotionalism" and quotes Michael Watzer who speaks about thick and thin morality: "The former is steeped in history and has some depth, positive or negative, behind it. The latter is more emotionally based, asks for small commitment and immediate actions, without a lot of thought." Still another traditionalist says: "Do we leave the service having had an emotional catharsis rather than being challenged to let God make changes in our characters to bring us more into his likeness?"

So what conclusions can we draw?

For one, we see the passion with which each group speaks. Often well-intentioned passion goes too far. Further, there is conflict between present gratification (even spiritually) and long-term consequences. Traditionalists, examining the choruses, see them as unbalanced and impoverished-majoring in the Psalms but avoiding the hard sayings contained in the same passages.

What happens to people who major on Jesus as sweet and full of grace but generally avoid, in their singing, the crucifixion and resurrection? Will the "feeling-oriented" worship be sufficient to sustain the believer in the pains and struggles of life? Contemporaries counter the anti-feeling sentiment by saying that almost anything is better than the boring, emotionless traditional service. (Note: Brian Goertzen, a prominent Vineyard praise song writer, often reflects his Anabaptist theology in his choruses.)

Q A

Can either form of worship be declared the "biblical" one?

A boomer put it well: "The older generation could argue that all the noise and hubbub violate Pauline principles." In other words, everything to be done decently and in order. "The younger generation could argue that solemnity, old songs and lack of clapping with no raised hands violates the model for worship in the Psalms." Another reader who confesses she loves Jesus and corporate worship deeply, says Old Testament music ''was not haphazard, nor leaderless, nor spontaneous."

"Now," she writes, "art form and artistry has been forsaken in the interest of spontaneity, instant gratification and glitz."

A contemporary worshipper says: "On that day when we will worship at the 'foot of the throne,' I picture us lOSing any sense of self-consciousness and propriety and thinking of nothing other than glorifying our Father."

Most likely traditions, culture and experience-not biblical precedentsdetermine our preferences. Helen Rose Pauls, in an August 11, 2000, issue of the MB Herald tells how upset her parents became years ago when she went to young peoples' meetings where fourpart harmony was sung for the first time.

Now her own daughter becomes the "rebellious" one by deserting her parents' traditional service for a more spirited one. Then Pauls adds poignantly: "and my mother-in-law, who came through terrible sufferings (anarchy, famine, Stalin's death camps) in the Soviet Union cannot understand why we no longer sing the songs of 'deliverance. '" Is there charity enough among us to allow for various forms of worship? I have to wonder, but I hope so.

Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy or other spiritual issue?

E-matl Marvin at mheinl @fresno.edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, .. c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 9372 7.

FEBR U ARY

2001.

17

ON THE JOURNEY BY

ROSE

BUSCHMAN

Good gifts are given anytime I learned last year, as I have learned before, that some ''gifts'' don't have to be expensive to be very special. her a letter through the mail since this would put her in another year, but even though it is serious risk. She has already already February, the memories still been imprisoned for her faith linger. We had a house full this year. once, and her experience in jail was bad and left her The five F's-family, friends, food, fun and fellowscarred for life. I was able to get some Bible study helps to ship--were all there. her a number of years ago, Four families came from four differand in this letter she thanked me again, ent places to spend time with us. Our writing that they had been a tremenfood, as requested, was definitely in the dous blessing to her. To hear from her ethnic tradition: Hillsboro sausage and was a very special gift and to know that verenike (from our Mennonite roots) for her faith has been strengthened by Christmas Eve, couscous (the Moroccan those books was "icing on the cake." national dish) for Christmas Day, and a • Through another source I Buche de Noel (a dessert from the received word the same week of anothFrench tradition and in the Martha Stewer Christian who lives in a country art style). By special request we made where he is not "allowed" to be a ChrisNew Year's Cookies even though it tian. He is one anyway and is not wasn't New Year's Day yet. We visited, ashamed to share his faith. He has been played games and watched the Veggie imprisoned numerous times for his Tales Christmas video over and over. faith but is still willing to share it with Two-year-old Katelyn just couldn't get others. I have never met this man but enough of it. We had a sprinkling of over the years have heard many stories snow, enough to make it a ''white'' about him from people who have visitChristmas, and simple gifts were ed with him. Last year I heard that he, exchanged after our Christmas morning now in his 80s, had been imprisoned brunch. for his faith again! Then, at Christmas, I learned last year, as I have learned came the news that he had been before, that some "gifts" don't have to released. It seems that the authorities be expensive to be very special. Here got worried about the evangelizing he are some that I treasure. did in jail, both among the other pris• The week before Christmas I came oners and the guards. They decided to home one evening to find a message on release him rather than have him conour answering machine from a friend I tinue to preach to the captive audience. had not heard from in a long time. She Telling him not to talk about Jesus just needed my correct address so she could invigorates him to do so all the more. send me a letter from a mutual friend, Shades of the apostles Peter and Paul, who is a Christian in a country where wouldn't you say? she is legally not supposed to be living.

• I always enjoy getting Christmas I hadn't heard from this woman in a greetings and letters. These are stored number of years, so I was excited to in a basket I leave out all year. That way, receive her letter. She wondered if I still I can get them out and read them again remembered her. What a question! Of later. Every year one of my friends sends course I remembered her-she is often me a special card that is handmade by in my thoughts and prayers. I can't send her husband and has a personal handhristmas has come and gone for

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written letter from her inside. I've decided to keep these and make a Christmas collage out of them for next year.

Another card, filled with photos and a letter, came from Brazil. The family who invited us to their home when we were in southern Brazil sent us their photos of our visit and a letter written in Spanish. It took me half an hour working with a dictionary to translate it but that was well worth the effort.

Another special gift.

• I must not forget the e-mall greeting from Bruno and Ella Zoungrana, our friends from Burkina Faso. It is always good to hear from them.

• Our Christmas joy was tempered with sadness, also. While visiting us, our daughter-in-law received word that her grandfather was very ill. Thankfully, she was able to see him and say goodbye before he died. A week later I received a call from a high school friend whose mother had died.

The "message" that I received from all the celebrations this past Christmas is that relationships are important. Family and friends are special and these relationships need to be nurtured. The good thing is that we don't have to wait until next Christmas to do so again. Letters, phone calls, visits and other expressions of caring are not expensive but they mean a great deal to those who receive them. The good thing is they can be done at any time.

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SPECIAL FEATURE SIXTH

IN

A SERIES

OF CHURCH

Texas church welcomes change A new vision for ministry offers both opportunities and challenges

T

BY EUBERTO MENDOZA

he winds of change are blowing for La Grulla MB Church, and the congregation is embracing them as a kite embraces a summer breeze. Just as a kite needs a hand to pull the string and guide the kite, this church is putting itself in the hand of God to guide the church where he will lead.

Nestled in a small town three miles north of the Rio Grande River in Texas, the La Grulla congregation, pastored by David Loyola, is the largest congregation in the Latin America MB District Conference.

In reflecting on the status of his church and the qualities that mark the congregation, Loyola says that while the church is located in a very small com-

20 • THE

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munity, Sunday attendance may often reach as high as 269. Although it is not a big church, La Grulla's leaders believe the Lord has graciously blessed the congregation and has chosen them to help perform his ministry to the community.

In seeking guidance and desiring to do the Lord's will, the church has made a number of strong and lasting decisions.

"Deciding to move in a direction that will enable us to serve God in any way he chooses, the congregation has decided to go against the tide of popular attitudes, " says Angel Flores, a young leader in the church. "We are no t to conform to this world, nor will we conform to the patterns of tradition that often lead to routine . We have taken the attitude that, because we are children of LEA 0

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PROFILES God, we have the authority and the ability to do great things for God." Flores says, "The members of the church have decided to do the Lord's will with joy and without complaint.

Most importantly, we are keeping the focus of our e nergy on Christ."

La Grulla MB is at a crossroads of reevaluating its vision and questioning its goals, says Pastor Loyola. "We are taking steps to make sure that the congregation understands this new vision.

It is a vision that calls for a new form of unity."

For example, in the past the congregation has had only a small number of individuals involved in church functions such as youth activities or community outreach events. La Grulla leadership has recently decided to try to involve every member of the congregation in church projects by handing over the responsibility for some aspect of that project's success to members themselves.

An example of this new strategy was the church's annual retreat held in October. While past years have seen the same few people in charge of organizing this event, Loyola gave different members of the church assignments to form teams and complete aSSigned tasks.

"Experiments such as this one are the building blocks for La Grulla MB's new vision, " says Loyola.

Another important aspect of the new vision is helping the congregation recognize and understand that their congregation is not alone in fulfilling the Great Commission. As a member of the LAMB district, the congregation is also part of the U.S. Conference of MB Churches, and the congregation is now attempting to embrace this reality.

"We are not alone . We have brothers and sisters in every corner of this earth, and we are all working toward the same goal, " says Flores. "Through the ministries in which the church is involved, we are beginning to understand this truth ."

Since 1996, the church has been involved with Youth Mission International through its SOAR Midwest ministry program. SOAR is a short-term leadership and cross-cultural ministry program for high school students and their sponsors.

La Grulla MB has hosted hundreds of young people and that has prompted

SI'I ( 1\1 FI \llRI

the congregation to engage in a building project. With the help of many church groups from the U.S. and beyond, the La Grulla congregation has over the past year built a separate facility to host groups. Already being put to use, the new building was the home for the young men from the SOAR Midwest program during this summer's orientation and debrief. The church has also made plans to build donnitories and other facilities at the site to enhance the stay of the YMI participants and other groups that will come in the future.

In addition to the current building projects, the church has started two new mission programs, one in the nearby town of Rio Grande City and the other in Edinburg. A new pastor, Anival

Munoz and his family, has been added to direct the two mission programs.

These programs offer weekly Bible studies and family visitations by pastors Munoz and Loyola to local families.

"Although our church is small and may not seem to have the resources necessary to continue such missions, the Lord has proved to be more than sufficient to fill our every need," says Loyola.

"Both missions are motivated and are growing in the grace of God," says Idolina Mendoza, president of the La Grulla Women's Circle. "The La Grulla congregation realizes that the thanks belongs to the Lord for his guidance in both missions, and we pray that he continues to bless these efforts through his loving mercy."

As with any new vision, changes come; those changes may create great discord. Loyola believes that one of the church's greatest threats is the conflict that comes from within the church body. While Loyola is trying to implement change as slowly and smoothly as possible, some members of the church have thought that perhaps these changes are coming too quickly.

Church leaders like Flores are not discouraged by the difficulties change brings.

"As the apostle Paul wrote, we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us," says Flores. "As long as the La Grulla MB Church keeps its focus on the God that we serve, whatever struggle or trial that presents itself will be overcome." •

First South Texas relief sale held th,is month Uke Its logo-a peace dove with a Jalapeno pepper In Its beak-the Rio Grande Valley Mennonite Relief Sale wilt celebrate both unique Mennonite values and the rich HIspanic culture of the U.s.Mexico border region. The sale be held Feb. 10 In San Juan, Texas.

The sale's food coordInator, lima Cruz, rattles off a long list of foods to be prepared and sold by nine area Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren co.... gregatlons: a "Mexican plate" with rice, beans and "carne asada" (roast meat); homemade tortillas; "pan de campo," or "cowboy bread, " cooked over an open fire; and, of course, tIomemade pastries, cookies and candy.

wII'

Breakfast win be faJita tacos with homemade "pIco de gaUo" (fresh salsa). And, of course, the tracIItIonaI tamales (meat wrapped in commeal and steamed In a comhusk) will

be available by the dozen, with tarnaJe.maklng demon-

stratlons going on all day.

"We love to eat, especially If the food Is homemade," Cruz says.

This newest relief sale will maintain the formatfood, an auction, chll-

Cruz, a IIfe.Iong member of La GruHa MB Church In La Grulla,Texas, attended a Mennonite for the first time when a IPOUP

Houston auction are being

donated back for the Valley sale, and a group from Houston plane to attend.

relief""

from south Te"......... "the Valley," as It often called-

!/liJ=~ •

RELIEF SALE

~

.

LOGO; Combines traditional relief with regional culture

dren's activities-that for decades has helped communities support the relief and service work of M..... nonlte Central Commit· tee. Mariachi music and local crafts will add regional flavor, and a display will memorialize the 437 Immigrants who have died along the border since 3.997.

traveled to the Nov. 11

relief sale in Houston.

"The people In Houston are our mentOl'8, " says Felipe Hinojosa, MOO Central States Southem TIer associate and a planner of the Vaney relief sale.

The sales are strengthening reIatIonshIps-among churches In Texas, he says.

Some of the quilts from the

'rhe Valley sale's 13member planning committee Is trying to Involve every Mennonite and Me.... nonlte Brethren congregatlon'n the region-which Is all of Texas south of Corpus Chrlstl-ln some way, from donating tables and chairs to providing children's activities to serving as "go-fers" durIng the sale Itself.

"People are excited about it," Ctuz says. "'We've met people from Corpus [Christi),

8rownsvI'.........'ve really

8njoyed each other."

The sale Is one example of a growing Interest In MOC, Hinojosa says.

SInce the opening of the Southam TIer office In EdInburg, a town In the heart of the Valley, MCe Is more visible to the Me.... nonite and Mennonite Brethren congregations In the region. -by Rachel

8eth Miller of MGG

FEBRUARY

2001.

21

BODyLIFE MENNONITE

BRETHREN

NEWS

Following a heart for youth Two district youth pastors half a country away from each other have one thing in common-a passion for youth

l ""When I walk before our young people, I just tell it like it is and they get excited aboutJesus and what he can do. " -James Wilfong

"'Young people are seeking an authentic faith that goes beyond words.

They want something that's real. Young people want to experience God and to know God. " -Wendell Loewen

22 • THE

C H R 1ST I A N

BY SARA COOK

ames Wilfong of Lenoir, North Carolina, and Wendell Loewen, of Hillsboro, Kan., have never spoken.

At first glance, it would seem they have little in common. Wilfong is African American and was born and raised in Caldwell County, the community he continues to call home today.

Loewen is a Canadian who grew up in Japan and now lives in the United States.

But both are 37-year-old Mennonite Brethren pastors who love God, his church and young people. They serve the North Carolina District Conference and the Southern District Conference, respectively, as district youth pastors, positions recently created by both districts. Wilfong is the second person to serve his district and Loewen is the first.

Beyond this, their job responsibilities and personal life experiences are as different as the district conferences they serve.

District uniqueness The North Carolina District Conference is comprised of six congregations located within 40 miles of Lenoir, home to three of the six. Close proximity to one another makes it possible for youth from all six congregations to work together on common projects. For example, this past December the youth staged a Christmas play. Wilfong works closely with the NCDC youth chair and church youth departments. His job description includes meeting weekly with each youth group. But the nature of the district also makes it possible for him to have a personal relationship with many of the students.

Wilfong began serving in April 2000.

The NCDC established the position of district youth pastor in September 1999, in hopes of attracting and retaining the young people in its congregations. The possibility of hiring a youth worker for LEA D E R

the district had been on the minds of NCDC leaders for about 10 years, says James Fox, NCDC moderator.

The Southern District Conference was also motivated by the desire to meet the needs of its teenagers and their youth workers. The SDC includes 38 different congregations located in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and north Texas. Loewen began his duties Jan. 1, 2000, and in the first year of his work has visited youth groups in 20 of those congregations.

Loewen describes himself as a "pastor to youth pastors." Loewen says he has modeled his ministry to youth pastors, youth groups and the SDC youth commission after district minister Roland Reimer and his relationship with pastors, congregations and the SDC executive committee.

Loewen works closely with the SDC youth commission in planning the high school youth conference, camps for fourth graders through high school seniors and other district activities. But he focuses his attention on equipping youth workers for ministry.

Life experiences vary Beyond the variations in their assignments, the different life experiences the two men bring to their work penetrate the way they fulfill their role.

Loewen grew up in Japan where his parents served as short-term missionaries. Loewen became a Christian as a five-year-old and later "owned" that decision when he was in junior high.

He is a graduate of Fresno Pacific University, completed a voluntary Christian service assignment as a youth worker at Madera (Calif.) Avenue Bible Church and then graduated from MB Biblical Seminary. He's worked for Youth for Christ and has served two other MB churches as a youth pastor.

Bom 1.11 I

In addition to working quarter-time as the district youth pastor, Loewen is a member of the Tabor College faculty, teaching Bible and youth ministry courses three-quarters time. Until he began working for the SDC a year ago, he also served as a Youth Mission International regional staff member. YMI is a cross-cultural discipleship program for North American Mennonite Brethren youth. Loewen is married to Shelly and they have three children: Taylor, 9, Peyton, 6 , and Preston, 2 Wilfong has spent his life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When he was 13, his mother went to prison for shooting and killing his father, and Wilfong was forced to live in foster homes. Wilfong admits to being a drug dealer, an alcoholic and an addict for 18 years.

But that all changed one night in 1997 when Wilfong, the self-proclaimed "number one bad boy in Caldwell County," was ready to commit suicide. Someone witnessed to him and WIlfong took those words of God's love to heart. Wllfong prayed that night that God would change him and God did-instantly, Wllfong says. Wilfong has been spreading the Good News ever since.

In September 1998, WIlfong was ordained by the NCDC. He is attending Granite Falls Baptist College and hopes to graduate in 2002 with a degree in theology. He pastors with former NCDC moderator Earl Yount at West End MB Church of Lenoir and Darby MB Church of Ferguson. He is also a tutor and works as a plant supervisor. He is married to Anita and they have two children: Spencer, 2, and Sydney, two months.

Job training With 15 years of experience as a youth worker, Loewen says his call from God is the heart of his ministry.

"Years ago I sensed God was calling me to be a spiritual leader for the next generation and youth ministry was a way to fulfill that calling," says Loewen.

"There were many people who shoulder-tapped me as I grew up," he says. "Midway through college God's call became more clear."

This sense of calling is what has guided Loewen in his efforts to define his role as the new district youth minister.

"I see myself as a pastor to youth pastors," says Loewen, "equipping and resourcing youth workers to be more equipped in working with their youth."

Wilfong draws on the hard lessons he learned as a youngster as the starting point for his ministry, and he's committed to reaching people with the Good News that saved him.

"I know how it is to be young.

Nobody's there to share how you feel," he says. "I can feel their hurt. I can feel their pain. I can feel their anger."

Being honest with young people is important to Wilfong. ''Young people just want us to be completely honest and tell the truth," he says.

One-on-one talks and visits to the home are a regular occurrence between Wilfong and youth. NCDC moderator Fox says Wilfong often takes youth off the street, gives them a meal and talks with them.

"When I give my testimony the youth see what I used to be and how God came down and rescued me and changed my life," WIlfong says. "They say, 'IfJesus can do this for the youth pastor, surely he can do this for mechange my attitude, my way of walking, my way of thinking and show me more love.' When I walk before our young people, I just tell it like it is and they get excited about Jesus and what he can do."

Wilfong is not shy about his concern for young and old alike.

"He really has a heart for the lost," says Fox. Wilfong is known in his community for his public witness. Almost every Friday night for the past three years, Wllfong has stood at one of two intersections, dressed in a white robe with a purple sash, holding an illustrated sign that says, ''Jesus paid it all." He doesn't shout or approach passersby. He lets the sign speak for him.

Youth issues Wilfong and Loewen come at their work with different philosophies based on their unique experiences and the needs of the congregations they serve.

Yet in many ways, they preach the same message.

One common theme is the importance of the church in the lives of young people.

Wilfong says being a witness to unity is a powerful message the church can convey.

"What I'd like to see in the future is the pastors, the deacons and the laymen of the church coming together as one," says Wilfong. "We can show the young

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~ ~

Itinerary and Invitation

CAMPAIGN COUNTRY

CAMPAIGN CITY

c

1.11 )'

_

CPE, under the sponsorship of MBMS International, invites born-again Christians to serve as volunteers for its evangelism outreach to: CAMPAIGN DATES

DONATION REQUIRED OF EACH VOLUNTEER

CHILE .. . .. . ... Arica .... . . .. . . . ....... Mar. 9-26 ... . .... . . . .. . . .. 1,200 COSTA RICA . .. Liberia & San Jose .. .. .. . Mar. 15-Apr. 1 .. .. ...... . .. 1,000 NICARAGUA ... Pto. Corinto . . .. .. ... .... Mar. 16-Apr. 1 .... . . .. . .... 1,000 NOTE: . ...... . . Abbotsford .. .... .. ...... Mar. 31 ... ... ..... . CPE Banquet RUSSIA . .. . ... New Samara . .. ........ . Apr. 3-22 .. ... . . . .... .. . .. 1,700 PARAGUAY . . .. .. .. . . . . .. . .. ...... . .. Apr. 6-22 . . . . ... . . . . ... ... 1,500 EL SALVADOR .......... . ............ Apr. 13-29 . . . .. .. .. . . .. .. . 1,100 PERU ... . . . ... Lima, North . .. .. . . . . . .. . Apr. 13-29 .. . ... . . . .. .. . . . 1,200 ECUADOR . . .. . Cuenca . . ... . . . . . .. .... May 4-20 .. . . .. ..... ... . . . 1,300 NICARAGUA . . . Chichigalpa ...... . . . . ... May 18-June 3 .. . .. .... . .. 1,100 BOLIVIA .... . .. La Paz . . .. ... .. . ....... May 18-June 3 . .. .. .. .. . , . . 1,400 UKRAINE . . . . . . Cherkassy Region & Poltava May 23-June 18 . . .... ... . .. 1,600 KAZAKHSTAN. Alma Ata (Mayak) ........ June 5-24 .. .. .. .. .. . . . .... 1,700 COSTA RICA ........ .. .. ... . . .... . ... June 7-24 . . . . .... . .. . .. . .. 1,000 PERU .... .. ... Talara ..... . .. .. . ... ... June 9-26 .. .. ..... . . .. . . .. 1,200 INDIA . .... . ... .. ... .. .. . ..... . .. . ... . June 13-July 1 ... .. . . .. . .. . 1,700 NIGERIA . , . . . . Benin ............. . . .. . June 26-July 15 .. .. . ....... 1,800 FUI ISLAND . . . Suva ... . .. . . . . .. . ..... June 26-July 15 .. . . .... . ... 1,400 PERU ........ . Sojo ...... . ... . . ....... June 30-July 15 . .. ......... 1,200 PERU ......... Chiciayo ...... . .... . ... July 6-23 .. . ........... . .. 1,200 PARAGUAy .......... . .. .. ..... . ..... July 10-29 ...... . .... .... . 1,500 NICARAGUA . . . Managua ....... . .. . .... July 20-Aug. 5 . .. . . ..... . . . 1,100 PERU · . .. . ..... Andayualb . . ....... . . .. . Aug. 3-20 ... ... .. .. ..... .. 1,200 PHIUPPINES .. Lucena & San Pablo . ..... Aug 14-Sep. 2 ....... . .. . .. 1,300 ZIMBABWE . .. Bulawayo .. .. .......... Aug 15-Sep. 2 .. .... . . . .... 1,800 ECUADOR . ... . Quito ..... . . . .. .. ...... Aug 17-Sep. 2 .. .. .. .... . .. 1,300 NICARAGUA . .. Puerto Sandi ....... .. ... Aug. 17-Sep. 2 ... . . .... .... 1,100 PERU ... . ... . . Iquitos .. . ......... . .... Sep. 7-24 .. ...... ...... ... 1,200 UKRAINE . .... . South (Crimea) .. . .. . ... . Sep. 12-0ct. 7 ....... . . . . .. 1,600 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Santo Domingo .. Sep. 12-30 . . .... . ....... . . 1,000 HONDURAS . ........ .. ..... . ..... . ... Sep. 21-0ct. 7 .... . ... .. . . . 1,100 PERU .. . . . .... Uchiza .... . ....... . .... Sep. 28-0ct. 15 . . . .... . .... 1,200 ECUADOR . . .. . Loja .... .. .... . ........ Oct. 19-Nov. 4 . . . . . ........ 1,300 ANGOLA . .. ... Luanda . . . .. . . .... .. . . . Oct. 10-29 . . . .. . . . ..... . . . 1,800 NICARAGUA . . . Estali .... . . . .. .. .... . .. Oct. 19-Nov. 4 .... . .. . .. . .. 1,100 PERU . .... . .. . Lima South ........ . . . .. Nov. 2-19 ....... . . . . ... . .. 1,200 INDIA . . ..... .. . . .. . . . ... ........... . . Nov. 6-Dec. 2 ..... . .. ...... 1,700 COSTA RICA ... ....... . . .. . .......... Nov. 16-Dec. 2 . . .. . ........ 1,000 EL SALVADOR .... .. .. . .......... ... . Dec. 7-23 . . . ... . .......... 1,200 NOTE: Dates may be subject to some changes, pending further confirmation of some campaigns.

• Team up with national Christians and witness for Christ door-to-door • Some knowledge of the language of the country is helpful • Between 800 and 2800 persons have prayed to accept Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord during a two-week CPE campaign. Come and be part of an enriching spiritual experience--discover what God can do through you.

For further information, contact: Church Partnership Evangelism office: telephone/fax: 604-864-3941 Peter Loewen (residence) fax: 604-853-6482 Church Partnership Evangelism is a "church-to-church" effort that involves all bornagain Christians in personal evangelism worldwide. Your application to participate will be forwarded to the CPE Executive Committee for processing.

PETER LOEWEN

HAROLD ENS

CPE Executive Director

MBMS International General Director

24.THE

CHRISTIAN

LEADER

people that no matter our differences, we can come together in the body of Christ and worship God together," says Wilfong.

Loewen talks about the importance of the church modeling Christ-likeness.

"I think we need to address again what it means to authentically live for Christ each day," Loewen says, "to refocus again on the way in which our lives and our actions line up with our words."

Loewen continues: "If I want our young people to live in such a way, I better be the one who's modeling it."

Wilfong also preaches cooperation.

"I can no longer be the Lone Ranger," Wilfong says. "It's going to take every individual to bring about everything we're trying to do. When a church comes together as one, I know that things begin to happen."

One vision currently becoming a reality for the NCDC is a school and youth center. Land is being sought for the facility that will include a gym, classrooms for kindergarten through grade 8 and a place for quiet meditation. Wilfong would like to see the monitored center open seven days a week so young people can gather in a safe environment instead of public recreation centers.

Fox says the center will be a place of worship during the week. Although he doesn't mind traveling between the six churches, Wilfong looks forward to having a central location where NCDC MBs can meet together.

Loewen and Wilfong also talk about the need for today's young people to have a personal faith-unique to their generation.

"Young people are seeking an authentic faith that goes beyond words," Loewen explains. "They want something that's real. Young people want to experience God and to know God." Wtlfong agrees, and says music is a key.

"Young people are looking for something to move them, to get them excited.

Instead of picking up a hymn book, I believe in letting go and letting God have his way."

"There is a hunger to experience God in a fresh way," says Loewen, "so renewed worship is an outflow of that need."

And meeting that hunger to know God is what Loewen and Wilfong's ministry is all about. Their desire is to bring young people to Christ and to nurture them in their walk of faith . •

BomLIH

u.s. MB ministries meet, plan ~ Total conference budget crosses $1 million mark,

,. church contributions raised by $5 per member

M

inistry staff, board chairs, board members, district representatives and conference leadership met early in the New Year to make plans for the next one.

The 30-plus U.S. Conference board and staff members attending this year's annual all-boards meeting jan. 12-13 at Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan., met with their individual boards Friday.

While Mission USA executive held their Friday meetings in Wichita, all boards and their members met together briefly in a joint board meeting Saturday morning before conference executive, board chairs and conference staff gathered for Board of Church Ministries meetings for the remainder of the day.

This year, most ofthe discussions and issues were dealt with in the BCM mee tings Saturday. Two major decisions were made regarding budget and church contribu tions (norms) .

• App roval of $1.1 millio n 20012002 budget . Confe rence leadership approved proposed ministry budgets totaling $I,094,525- a 14 percent

increase over this year's budget.

The largest portions of the budget increase are due to expanded efforts of Mission USA, the church planting and renewal ministry, and production expe nses for the Christian Leader.

Mission USA board members remain committed to spend only what they raise, said executive director Ed Boschman and board chair Steve Reimer during their report. The increased funds are designated to projects which will not happen unless the money is available .

Most of the increase in the Leader budget is a result of increases in postage and printing costs, said Board of Communications chair Kathy Heinrichs Wiest during her report. "These are costs over which we have no control. If we want to continue to provide the level of ministry that the Leader has been providing, we have to face those realities."

Though crossing the $I million threshold can be intimidating, conference chair David Reimer is confident.

"A lot of our budget will be done only if and when the money comes in, "

Reimer said after the meetings. "That gives us confidence that we aren't going to create a problem."

• Increase in suggested church contributions (giving levels). In order to help cover an increase in ministry endeavors and vision, the trustees recommended raising suggested church contributions by $5 per member-the first raise in 13 years, according to trustee chair Ken Neufeld.

"The conference programs have expanded and the need for financial resources has increased," explained Neufeld after the meetings.

"There has been no adjustment for the addition of MUSA and other additional benefits the churches receive from the denomination," added conference treasurer Dale Regier from his Hillsboro office.

Churches contribute funds to support U.S. Conference ministries on a scale based on the size of the church. Churches are encouraged to give at the following new rates, reflecting the increase: • under 49 members: $I5/member • 50-99 members: $23/member . 100-199 members: $30/member . 200 or more members: $35/member These changes are "effective immediately," said Regier.

The trustees and conference leadership want to challenge churches to give at this modestly higher level to the work of the conference, said Neufeld .

"The conference has taken on new responsibilities with the dissolution of the General Conference," Neufeld added, referring to responsibility for ministries formally run by the joint Canadian-U.S. conference. "[And] we are dealing in a much more costly environment than we were 13 years ago."

Church contributions are projected to cover $315,000 of next year's budget, $41,208 higher than actual giving last year, says Regier. To meet the rest of the budget, contributions from the MB Foundation, individual board member fund-raising efforts, a continued fund-raising mail campaign to U.S. constituents and the efforts of development director Art Enns are expected to help meet the increase.

Board of Church Ministries BCM, the leadership board that coordinates the various U.S. Conference ministries, covered a variety of topiCS. FEB R U A R Y

2001

•

25

Bom 1.111

• Helping those who "hear the call." The MB Biblical Seminary is following up on potential church leaders and those who indicated during the July 2000 U.S. convention that they wish to support, encourage or help call leaders into service, said Reimer during his report. Delegates were encouraged to consider their role in calling out new leaders by filling out response cards at the end of the four-day convention.

• Transition teams to meet in February. Several members of BCM will be meeting with Canadian representa· tives and representatives from the General Conference Board of Resource Min· istries and the MB Biblical Seminary to discuss how to transition the two binational ministries into national conference ownership. BRM develops MB

resources and oversees Kindred Productions, an MB publishing house. MBBS has campuses in both the U.S. and Canada.

• New board members welcomed. There were more people sitting around the board room table this year.

The board expanded last year to include the chair from the newly formed Board of Faith and Life and representatives from the MB Foundation and MBMS International, the North American mission agency recently transitioned from the General Conference.

Board of Communications BOC, which facilitates communication among the churches and people of the U.S. Conference, discussed a variety of issues in addition to its oversight of the Christian Leader.

'"

• Denominational Web sites. Content is being collected and placed on the new U.S. Conference and MB Foundation web sites, reported Wiest. BOC members recommended that a permanent adViSOry board be established to oversee the development and maintenance of the sites.

• Comprehensive communication strategy. Several board members were assigned to explore and develop a coordinated system for a variety of methods of communicating the vision and work of U.S. Conference ministries to the constituency.

Board of Faith and life Though they make up the newest U.S. Conference board, BFt members were busy discussing topics ranging

iiAA

New board considers faith and life issues Last month the Board of Faith and ute-the newest board to join the ministry of the U.S. Conferenceattended the annual Joint boards meeting, held Jan. 12-13, for the first time.

The board may be In Its Infancy, but BFL went beyond organizational procedures and began to address the specifics of Its mandate.

The fact that three members of the General Conference BFL are members of the new U.S. BFL aided the group's learning curve.

Carry-over members are John Warkentin of Wichita, Kan., Lynn Jost of Hillsboro, Kan., and Valerie Rempel of Fresno, Calif. J Edward Epp of Lustre, Mont., and David Loyola of La Grulla, Texas, are also charter members of the U.S. BFL. In an Interview after the meeting, BFL chair John Warkentin defined the board's focus as "confession. alintegrity and theoi0gicai unity In the conference...

In his report to the joint boards, Warkentin said BFL

26 • THE

discussed how best to fill In the "blank sheet of paper" that marks Its birth as a ~. This discussion included projects as well as the

make-up of the board Itself.

The current restructurIng of the O.S. Conference, given the dissolution of the bi-natlonal General Conference, provides BFL with the opportunity to consider how best to represent on Its board all districts that make up the conference, said Warkentin.

BFL also discussed the Implications of adding addItional districts to the conference organized around people groups rather than geography. These new districts will most likely be made up of congregations for whom English Is not the first language.

The ConfessIon of Faith Is currently available In English and Spanish. Warkentin noted that the growing nurnber of Slavic and Ethiopian groups, In addition to other people groups, will require the conference to consider what kinds of printed materl-

C H R 1ST I A N

LEA D E R

al should be available to these groups In their first language.

The board Is also planning to publish a series of pamphlets, adapting material published by the Can. dian Conference BFL to fit the U.S. context, said Warkentin. Topics under consideration range from Issues such as media, marriage and homosexuality to Anabaptlsm, baptism and church membership.

Warkentin emphasized the Importance of providing all U.S. congregations with resources that articulate core Mennonite Brethren dlstlnctlves. He reported that BFL had met with the Board of Communications to talk about ways in which that board could assist BFL with Its publishing needs.

The future of MB publishIng Is presently In question as recommendations are stili being developed by the General Conference task force regarding the divestiture of Board of Resource Ministries and Kindred Productions, the joint and Canadian pub-

u.s.

IlshIng ministry.

Warkentin said the U.S. board hopes to continue the practice of the General C0nference BFL of holding meetings in different regions to allow board members to meet with pastors. BFL hopes to meet this fall In a region that Is conducive to talking with Slavic pastors.

BFL Is also talking with Its Canadian counterpart to schedule a Joint meeting and discuss topics for possIble future study conferences, said Warkentin.

PrIor to the creation of the national BFL, the U.S. referred any BFL matters at the national level to the General Conference BFL. In 1999, delegates to the North American conference convention voted to dissolve the conference and divest Its ministries to the U.S. and Canada.

This summer, delegates to the U.S. Conference c0nvention voted to create a national board of faith and life with responsibilities in denominational polItY and

the confession of faith. -CF

Bom Llil

from multi-language versions of the Confession of Faith to joint meetings with their Canadian counterpart. (Foe more, see "New board considers faith and life issues," page 26).

that it currently has five church planting efforts: Barkley Hills Community Church in Washington, South Mountain Community Church in Utah, Journey Community Church in California and two developing efforts in Broken Arrow, Okla., and Phoenix, Ariz. Plans are being made for additional planting efforts in Phoenix. Four churches are participating church renewal programs: lincoln Hills Bible Church in South Dakota, Belleview Acres Church in Colorado, and North Fresno MB Church and Greenhaven Neighbomood Chu<eh in CaUfumia

• Developing relationships with districts. Reimer and Boschman reported that MUSA staff and board members are currently talking with districts to see how they can work best together to raise funds for church planting efforts.

As part of that effort, MUSA is seeking part-time regional fund raisers to work with development director Art Enns.

• Internships. MUSA is currently sponsoring two individual internships-one in worship leading and the other in small group ministry-in two California churches. -CA

Board of Trustees In addition to reporting the budget requests from the boards and recommending an increase in church contributions, Neufeld also reported to BCM on the status of the current fiscal year.

While church contributions are on par with previous years, income in other areas is about $73,800 lower than expected.

About half of that shortage is a result of fund raising for MUSA ministries falling below expectations. Boschman and Reimer assured conference leadership during the BCM meeting that the Workers rush to aid those at Salvador quake site church renewal and planting ministry will balance out by the end of the fiscal 1 n the first three days following a He and his wife arrived in the capital year in May. Jan. 13 earthquake that left hunto find the MCC office in good condi"We are confident that over the next dreds dead and thousands missing, tion, with some broken bottles and four months as we continue to report Mennonite Central Committee was upturned shelves the only result of the about our ministries to the constituency at work with partner agencies assessing quake. No MCC workers were injured, and our supporters that people will condamage in EI Salvador. and no major damage was sustained in tinue to give generously so that MUSA A response plan to the disaster was the towns where they work. ministries can be fully underwritten," targeted for Jan. 19 but no details were Two days after the disaster Oberholzexplained Boschman after the meetings. available as of press time. The plan will er reported, "As I write, the earth peri"That is a huge challenge, and we are be based on reports the inter-Mennonite odically wavers beneath me-the praying earnestly that our church plant relief agency receives from its workers tremors continue." and renewal projects will get the support and partner agencies.

In the meantime, Aftershocks from the earthquake, they need." He added that MUSA has MCC welcomed cash donations to go for which caused additional landslides, raised about $50,000 to date and will reconstruction efforts. measured as high as 4 on the Richter need to raise an additional $180,000 to The earthquake-a 7.6 on the Richter scale. Many of El Salvador's city slums balance their budget. scale-took the most lives in Santa perch on hills that are vulnerable to During the BCM meetings Saturday, Tecla, a city just west of San Salvador, landslides. individual board members reiterated the capital. The department hardest hit "As usual in this type of disaster, it's their commitment to fund-raiSing the poor who suffer most," Hess says. by the quake overall was Usulutan, on efforts and Wiest indicated that the conthe southeastern coast.

MCC worker Tanya Chute was helpference will continue to solicit funds MCC partners ANAES and CEBES ing people in her community in the through a mail campaign.

(Fundacion Mercedes Ruiz), Salvadoran department of Chalatenango gather humanitarian agencies that work in these relief supplies to deliver to San SalIntegrated Ministries areas, assessed damage Jan. 16 using the vador.

Loyal Funk, conference minister and MCC four-wheel drive vehicle. MCC Mennonite churches in EI Salvador director of the ministty which focuses on worker Audrey Hess traveled with CEBES are also working to gather supplies for working with new immigrant and ethnic personnel to a shelter near Santa Tecla to earthquake victims, and groups from groups, reported that he is working with deliver clothes and food and to help Guatemala have discussed coming to eight new potential congregations who secure plastic for temporary shelters. help. are considering joining the conference.

Hess and her husband, Fred OberCurrent information on MCC's Most of his work, Funk said, is with Slavholzer, traveled to San Salvador from response to the earthquake is available ic, Korean and Ethiopian people groups. their home in the northeast departtnent at the agency's Web site, www.mcc.org. of Morazan shortly after the earthquake.

MCC is also accepting contributions to Mission USA "En route we learned more and more , aid in relief efforts. Contributions should Boschman and Reimer reported that about the extent of the quake," says be marked "for EI Salvador earthquake, the church renewal and planting ministty Oberholzer. "The bus needed to take a 5913-2019" and sent to Mennonite continues to grow in its work and vision. detour to bypass a large landslide on the Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, • Church planting and renewal Pan-American Highway."

Pa. 17501. -MCC projects. In its report, MUSA indicated

I

I MC~ responds to ea~thquake I~

I

FEBRUARY

2001.27

B()f)) LII F

largest archipelago of more than 13,000 islands. Straddling the equator between Southeast Asia and Australia, it stretches for about 3,100 miles, about equal to the distance between Seattle and Miami.

Like Indonesian batik-an ancient • art that creates a multicolored design I on cloth through a series of hot-wax etchings and dye dippings-the many religions and ethnic groups create a diverse nation.

Mennonites have created their own patterns, designs and colors.

The Mennonite presence in Indonesia began when Dutch Mennonites sent a missionary in 1851. Missionaries from North America and Russia, and Indonesian leaders, played key roles in the Mennonite churches' development.

Like their Muslim neighbors, Mennonites strive to feed their families, worship and find stability in their nation. Indonesia is struggling to give birth to more democracy after outside rule by the Dutch and Japanese, and then dictator-like governments after independence in 1945.

In a nation tom by political, ethnic and economic conflict, Mennonites deal I with the tensions in a variety of ways.

After riots in 1998, Paulus Hartono, ~ Indonesian Mennonites make peace as they follow a Mennonite pastor, founded the Inter,.. Christ in a Muslim nation faith Committee. It fosters interreligious and interracial dialogue and funds humanitarian projects. he Muslim call to prayer percent of our neighbors are Muslim," Paulus, pastor of the Mennonite resounds through loudspeakTulham says. "They are good neighbors.

I congregation in Solo, works alongSide ers before dawn. The wailing We try to be good neighbors, too."

Dian Nafi, a regional leader of moderof religious readings from the No matter what one's faith, the same ate Muslims. They joined forces after Koran calls the faithful to their mornsun dawns on the world's fourth-largest the riots, induced by the fall of Presination of215 million people, where Mening prayers. dent Soeharto, who had ruled for 32 A few who hear the call may answer nonites are a minority within a minority. years, and by a crashing economy. it differently than the 90 percent of A new census by Mennonite World The leaders work at peacemaking Indonesians who are Muslim.

Conference shows that 87,802 baptized and creating safe places for dialogue to Mennonite members live in IndonesiaChristians -about 6 percent of help quell conflict.

Indonesia's popUlation-may awaken the fifth-largest group of Mennonites in Because dividing points in the conto read Bibles and pray in the name of the world. They belong to three synods, flict fall along religious lines, the tenJesus Christ. known as Gereja Injili Tanah Jawa, sions get labeled as religious ones. But Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia and Tulham Prabu, a Mennonite pastor politics and economics fuel the conwho converted from Islam to ChristianJemaat Kristen Indonesia. flicts, as people struggle to balance ity in high school, shows how people of As a double minority-a small power and wealth. different backgrounds are intertwined denomination within a minOrity faithThese conflicts and independence in Indonesia. they've often suffered persecution. But movements have sparked killing, fighting "I can talk quite easily with Muslim they've also peacefully coexisted with and church burnings on Java and many people, and they don't reject me, their Muslim neighbors, along with other islands, such as the Malukus. Two because they know I am formerly Mussome Hindus, Buddhists, Javanese anichurches burned were Mennonite. lim," says Tulham, pastor of the Mennomists and mystics.

"Radical Muslims do not like the exisnite congregation in the village ofWelaMennonites- mostly Chinese and tence and development of Christians in han in central Java. The church is next Javanese- live among Indonesia's 300 Indonesia, so open conflicts appear," door to a Muslim mosque. "About 97 ethnic groups, across the world 's Paulus says. "This dislike for Christians

Answering a different call

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28 • THE

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BOlnLll1

is also used for political interest.

"The conflicts develop into ethnic conflicts . . . especially in places like central Java, where it becomes a Javanese-Chinese conflict, since most of the Chinese are Christians or Catholics," says Paulus.

"The conflicts are getting worse because of economic differences [caused by increasing poverty]. The general image is that Chinese-ChristiansCatholics are middle- to high-class."

Yesaya Abdi, senior pastor of the GKMI Anugerah congregation in Jakarta, represents a triple minority-Christian, Mennonite and Chinese. He and many of the 250-plus church members are of Chinese descent.

Yesaya remembers standing on the top floor of their new meetinghouse as it was being built during the 1998 riots, killings and rapings. He prayed the church would survive.

"From where I stood upstairs on the floor without walls, I saw fire from the north, south, east and west, and I was afraid," he says.

The Anugerah church did survive.

And it now thrives-but only by the grace of God, who will also strengthen them if persecution should still come, Yesaya says.

Evangelism can inflame tensions, says Tanto Handoko, general secretary of JKI, a synod whose priorities are evangelism and church planting.

"We love peace, but it's a vicious cycle here," Tanto says. "Our goal is to bring disciples to the Lord and to train them to build churches. So, even though we want peace, we disturb it."

Radical Muslims burned aJKI meetinghouse in east Java earlier this year, he says. Stoning injured three church members.

"Even though [persecution] happens, we don't ultimately fear, because we see it as a privilege," he says. "That's the price, the cost of following Jesus."

Economic hardships and political chaos have made Indonesians hungry for God, he says. This causes the Christian church to grow, despite its perils.

To serve growing numbers of believers, JKI has established a detailed system for planting churches, he says. The synod has 41 mother churches in Indonesia. They all have at least one satellite, or mission church.

GKMI also has planted many mission churches and launched community pro-

jects through PIPKA, its board of missions and charities. The synod also sponsors YPPS, which works with Mennonite Central Committee to create community-based cooperatives and develop other projects.

In church planting and evangelism, interfaith dialogue and community involvement, Indonesian Mennonites strive to love God and love their neighbors. Examples of this spirit abound, including the ministries of Paul Gunawan, GKMI's director of publications and documentation; and Budi Santoso, pastor of a GKMI congregation in Semarang.

Paul works with Sjakur Ama, the Muslim village chief of Lamper Lor, a section in Semarang. They build trust

through joint community projectssuch as a free lunch program, the sale of rice for greatly-reduced prices and youth outreach.

Doors open both ways, from inside mosques as well as churches, Budi says.

"We have such a good relationship in my neighborhood that I was even asked to preach last year at the mosque during a Muslim celebration for their month of fasting," he says. "[Church members) don't treat other people differently if they're not Christian . . .. We are making an effort to get closer to the community and to bring peace to them, to be a friend to them." - By Laurie L. Oswald, Mennonite Weekly Review assistant editor for Meetinghouse

MBMSI partners in Indonesia Indonesian Mennonites are a world away from North American Mennonite Brethren. Yet, the two groups share a common vision for evangelism and discipleship and are workIng together In Indonesia to achieve these goals.

Mis first began their work with the Mennonite church In Indonesia In 1974 at the Invitation of the GKMIjMuria churches.

The invitation to partner with GKMI was given to other Mennonite groups as well. MBMSI continues Its partnership with Indonesian and North American Mennonites today. " MBMSI had a 10-year agreement with PIPKA regarding foreign personnel," says Dale Wark· tentln, a former missionary to Indonesia who recently retired from MBMSI. "The Murla church Is an Indigenous church and did not want to become too dependent on Western personnel."

Warkentin says that at the time the Invitation was Issued, the Murla

church had Its own mi. slon agency (PIPKA) and mission training center. "this matched with MIMSI's desire to reach the .unreached In partnership with national Mennonlte churches," says Warkentin.

The Dan and HeJen Nlckei family were the first MIMSI workers to serve In Indonesia, anlvIng In 1975. In 1976, Warkentin and his wife Joyce and their children joined the Nickels. The Nickels retumed to North AmerIca In 1982. The Warkentlns followed two years later. "this was a unique partnership because we were Invited by the Indonesians," says Warkentin. "Fifty church planters were sent out and planted 25 churches In Java, Sumatra, Kal Imantan (Borneo) and Ball during the 10 years we were there," he says.

P1PKA also sent out medical, education, agrJcultural and community dey"" opment workers. MBMSI worked with Mennonite

Central Committee and Eastem Mennonite Mission In some of these projects.

Since the 1980s, MIMSI has supported the work of PIPKA with a decreasing amount of subsidy for Indonesian church planting and community development workers.

Presently, MIMSI has no expatriete personnel In Indonesia, although Its partner Mennonite agencles do.

In a recent report to MIMSI, the Indonesian mission board reports that new congregations are demonstrating flnanclal stability and that church planters are being sent to new areas In spite of political unrest.

MBMSI dollars are also used to support educatlonal programs for children as well as for pastors and church elders. PIPKA continues to support community projects such as the constructlon of an aqueduct, mlcro-enterprlse projects and an agricultural program. -CF

FEBR U ARY

2001.

29

BOI), Lil I

Catholic dialogue continues ~ Agreement on peace highlights third annual

,. meeting between Mennonites and Catholics

I

n the third of five annual dialogues, Mennonite and Roman Catholic leaders Nov. 24-30 agreed that the church is God's instrument of peacemaking.

"The church is called to live as an efficacious sign and an instrument of peace overcoming every form of enmity and to reconcile all peoples in the peace of Christ," the eight Mennonite and seven Catholic participants said in a joint statement.

Co-sponsored by Mennonite World Conference and the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the dialogue began in 1998. Participants will issue a report after the fifth meeting in 2002.

Helmut Harder, a Mennonite from Winnipeg, Man., and Bishop Joseph Martino, a Roman Catholic from Philadelphia, Penn., are co-chairmen.

Two Mennonite Brethren educators are participating in the dialogue: Howard Loewen of Fresno, Calif., and Nzash Lumeya of the Congo.

The dialogue's purpose is to promote better understanding of both groups' beliefs and to help overcome prejudices that have existed between Mennonites and Catholics since the 16th century. It is hoped that out of this experience will come a healing of memories and relationships.

This year's session focused on two themes: defining a peace church and the impact of the Constantinian shift.

"Constantinian shift" refers to the alliance of church and state that began with the Roman emperor Constantine in the fourth century A.D. The interest in the question of peace arose because Mennonites are identified as one of the historical peace churches and because Catholics have addressed the issue of peace more intentionally in recent times, resulting in a series of statements by the Vatican.

The format followed by participants is that individuals from both groups present papers on the topics under discussion. The Mennonite papers regard-

30-THE

CHRISTIAN

ing peace were

presented"b~'~drea--'--- I

Lange, a pastor from Germany, and Mario Higueros, church leader from Guatemala, and the Catholic paper by Drew Christiansen, aJesuit scholar from the United States.

Papers on the Constantin ian shift were presented by Peter Nissen, a Catholic scholar from The Netherlands, and Alan Kreider, a Mennonite from Elkhart, Ind. "This discussion increased our appreciation for the historical positions of each of our two church bodies and

I

and for its persecuting of religious minorities," says Mennonite participant Helmut Harder.

The Mennonite delegates spoke frankly about the deep wounds that still exist in Mennonite and other churches in parts of the world where their members had been persecuted or pressured

by Catholics.

But the need for healing is not oneSided, said Catholic participants.

"It is important to also say how Catholics, Lutherans and others saw the [16th century] Anabaptists," said John Radano, a Catholic participant. "The rest of Christianity saw Anabaptists as threatening the Apostolic Church. This

LEADER

fact needs to be part of the healing of memories, too."

Mennonite delegates said the section on the church in the Dominus Ieusus statement issued by the Catholic church in 2000 was not helpful in building relationships between the Catholic church and other churches.

Dominus Ieusus declared that the Roman Catholic Church is the only "instrument for the salvation of all humanity." Lange said that in Germany the statement resulted in a substantial setback to ecumenical discussions.

The two delegations had separate caucuses during the meeting. During the Mennonite caucus it was noted that substantial energy is going into the search for a better understanding with Catholics. Efforts need to be made to create more unity among Anabaptists, said the Mennonites.

The next dialogue is scheduled for November 2001. Topics to be

addressed are "The struggle between church and secular authorities in the Middle Ages" and "Contemporary theology of Sacraments (ordinances)."

Participants were guests of the Thomashof Mennonite Church for worship Sunday morning. That evening they met with Mennonite, Catholic and other leaders from different parts of Germany for dinner, followed by discussion concerning the international dialogue as well as the ecumenical situation in general. Monday afternoon the participants visited the Mennonite community at the Weierhof, including the new facility of the German Mennonite Historical Archives. -MWC News Service

IN BlUEF NEWS FROM THE MENNONITE BRETHREN WORLD

MCC FUNDS NEW COMMUNITY FOR DESTROYED VILLAGE

nearby river and left everyone feeling vulnerable. About a third of the families chose to relocate to Holandeza Linda I and others decided to resettle in another relief project, which offered smaller , houses at no cost.

The Honduran Mennonite Church purchased the 20-plus acres of land the community felt strongly that they all with Emergency Project funds donated needed a new place to live. The hurriby MCC. The owner sold it for about cane had changed the course of the , $14,000 U.S., lower than market value.

The new community lies five miles from the old Masicales, close enough for families to continue farming their land, but far enough from the river that they feel safe.

MCC is a Christian world relief and development agency funded in part

by Mennonite Brethren.

Hurricane-devastated community thrives in new location

T

he village of Masicales, Honduras, was nearly destroyed in Hurricane Mitch. Two years later, many Masicales families are enjoying their new homes and planning for the future at Holandeza Linda, a relocation site funded by Mennonite Central Committee. The 55 new houses were funded mostly by MCC and built by community members themselves, with support from North American Work and Learn teams.

A Mennonite church has been in Masicales, a community of about 155 families, since the 1970s. After Mitch flood waters receded, the congregation met in a home until the mud and debris were cleaned out of the church building. The congregation did not miss a single service.

About half of the Masicales residents were able to return to their homes, but

-MCC

CMBS RELEASES MEMOIRS:

TABOR COLLEGE PRESIDENT WILL RECEIVE AWARD IN MARCH

Nikkel to be recognized with health care award

T

abor College President Larry Nikkel was named the recipient of Mennonite Mutual Aid's 2001 Anabaptist Health Care Award.

This award is given annually to a person within the Anabaptist tradition who has made a significant contribution to health care vision, theology or min-

istry through writing, teaching or major public presentations. The award will be presented at the awards banquet of the Mennonite Health Assembly in Albuquerque, N.M., at the end of March.

Before assuming the presidency of Tabor in 1999, Nikkel was the president and CEO of Mennonite Health Ser-

Center for MB Studies announced the publication of Jacob A. Loewen's Educating Tiger: My Spiritual and Intellectual Joumey, a biography by the

vices and prior to that spent 10 years as executive director of Prairie View, Inc., in Newton, Kan . -TC

fonnerTabor College faculty member (19591970). "Diverse and broad In the life experiences shared and the perspectives encountered, this volume Is both challenging and Insightful." For more Information, contact CMBS at (316) 947-3151.

FEBRUARY

2001

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31

l\; [31{1 1 I

FINANCIAL ADVISOR JOINS MB STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY

Sorensen joins MBF staff

R

~ Rood relief continues -Since October 2000, Mennonite Central Committee has donated more than $70,500 toward flood relief In Cambodia.

Heavy rain and flooding along the Mekong River In September caused widespread damage. In Prey Yeng Province, MCC relief Included food, seeds and agricultural tools. The country lost $63 million In crops and livestock, according to Cambodian offtcials. In November, MCC project staff and partners distributed rice seed and hoes to more than 400 families In Prey Yeng. During December, they helped build culverts along a main road and distributed rice seed and hoes to an additional 500 families. - MCC

~ MDS in N. Carolina -Working together, Mennonite Disaster Service and Habitat for Humanity kicked off the New Year by framing 12 homes In Princeville, N.C., where a fourth MDS project location has been established In response to Hurricane Floyd. The volunteers worked alongside homeowners who were Investing Habitat "sweat equl· ty" In the construction of their homes.

MDS sent 31 volunteers to Princeville between Christmas and New Years to jump-start the Habitat building blitz, scheduled for the first two weeks of January. State and faith group leaders estImate that It will take four more years for North Carolina residents to recover from this devastating flood. - MDS

~ MMA targets ATaT -A group of eight religious Institutional Investors, including Mennonite Mutual Aid, have filed a major proxy resolution with AT&T urging the telecommunication giant to study and report on the potential social and business liabilities arising from Its partnership with the Hot Network, a distributor of pomographlc material for cable television systems. Controlling over 1.6 million shares of AT&T stock, the filers, led

by MMA, are believed to be the first to file a pomogr&phy·focused resolution targeting a major U.S. media company. For more Information, go to www.thehastings. group.com/att/resolution.htm. -MMA

-----------' 32 • THE

C H R 1ST I A N

on Sorensen of Hays, Kan ., has been hired as a stewardship and planned giving advisor with the Mennonite Brethren Foundation.

Sorensen will represent MBF in the midwest region and began his work Jan. 29. ''I'm so happy Ron is on our team," says Jon Wiebe, president of MBF. "Ron brings a wealth of investment experience and a good understanding of how to solve client challenges.

This combination will prove extremely benefi·

I to working with him."

I

Sorensen joins the MBF staff after serving for 10 years as a financial advisor with Waddell and Reed, Inc., of Hays.

He has also worked in the agricultural product business for six years and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska.

Sorensen is a member of North Oak Communi· ty Church in Hays and will move with his family to Hillsboro this sum· mer.

MB Foundation is the stewardship ministry of the U.S. Conference.

I cial in serving our con· stituency in estate plan. ning and planned giving.

It is Ron's love for the Lord and commitment to the church which caused him to seek out a career change. I look forward

I I

; -MBF

MINISTRY ASSISTS MB CHURCHES AND RELATED MINISTRIES

Volunteers sought by USERV USERV,an acronym for utiliz· Ing Skills and EnergIes of Ready Volunteers, Is looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of construction projects In the Pacif· Ie DIstrict Confer· ence. USERY Is a ministry of the U.s. Conference and Is coordlnat· ed In the PDC by Ted Thiesen.

The project

schedule estabIished for 2001 Includes ongoing work at Slavic Gospel Church In

project Is sclJe6. uled for cornpi&tlon In September.

USERY volunteers will also work at Iglesia

Hermanos Mellonita West Park In Fresno, Calif., AprIl 2-6 and at Community Bible Fellowship in Bellingham, Wash., July 2-13.

The AprIl project Involves constructlng a new

roof and fence and the July project Involves painting

the sanctuary.

new 1O()(Heat

Individuals Interested in working on these projects can contact Thiesen at 661-589-8464 or thlesen777

sanctuary. This

@cs.com.

Bellingham, Wash., to do Int. rIor work on the

congregation's

L EA 0

E R

In February, USERY workers constructed a

fence and upgraded agate at Ebenezar ChristlanCamp In Tehachapi, Calif., a facility recently purchased by the PDC Hispanic Council. In January volunteers worked at Iglesia Companerlsmo Cristiano In Shafter, Calif., on several construetlon projects.

USERY provldes assistance to Mennonite Brethren church-

es and related ministries and Is directed by Loyal Funk. Most of the volunteers are retired Individuals

who volunteer their time and effort to construct, remodel and refurbish church facilities.

Generally, the local church

attendees work with the U$ERV volunteers to complete the varIous projects.

IndMduaIs with all levels of experience are

welcome to assist with pro. jects since on-

the-Job supem. slon Is otrelM. Most USERY pro. jects are compIe'ted In two weeks or Jess, alloWIng, Individuals to help with one or more

projects per year.

-USERV

CHURCH NEWS

CHURCH Baptism/membership BAKERSFIELD, calif. (Rosedale Bible)--Richard Reed was baptized Dec. 3 and received into member· ship Dec. 10 as well as Ellen Reed.

Jess and Margo Sanders and Peggy Holden became members Dec. 17.

EDMOND, Okla.- Larry and Susan Brown, Gene Gowgill, Sandra Janzen, Colleen Sarani and Deborah Schwall were received into memo bership Dec. 17.

FRESNO, Calif. (North Fresno)-Marc Ferguson, Eric and Stefanie Friesen, Charles and Rubena Ewell, Bob, Susan, Megan, Aaron and Alyse Gulack, George and Susan Harper and Blake and Lynette Simon were welcomed into membership Dec. 17.

Celebrations NEW HOPE, Minn.-A dedication service was held in honor of a new Kurzweil electronic keyboard Dec. 31.

FRESNO, calif. (Bethany)--A Rodgers organ was dedicated Jan. 7 with a recital by guest organist Richard Cencibaugh. He also accompanied soloist Ed Willems and the congregation . Pastors Wink Farrand and Leslie Mark led the evening service.

Minist ry VISAUA. calif. (Neighborhood)-A Wednesday night seminar got underway Jan. 10 and will continue for seven weeks. The class is intended to offer a practical understanding of how to manage finances from God's perspective.

WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Pine Aaes)--A new biblically-based 12step program designed to help people addicted to alcohol, drugs and food was introduced Jan. 18.

The program will continue every Thursday beginning with food and fellowship, then praise and worship.

After the group is split into individual discussion groups, the evening will end with dessert at the Solid Rock Cafe.

BAKERSFIELD, calif. (Laurelglen)--LBC Women's Ministries is

planning a mission trip to inner-city Los Angeles March 16-18.

Procla mation NEW HOPE. Minn. -Musical groups from New Hope and Russian Evangelical MB Church of neighboring Shakopee, Minn., gave a Christmas program Dec. 17. Following the program was a Christmas dinner .

HENDERSON, Neb.- Mike and Tina Yutzy with MBMSI spoke Jan. 7 of the work of the U.S. Center for World Missions and the Urbana Missions Conference.

BUHLER, Kan.-Pastor Terry Hunt, Bushtown MB Church, Lenoir, N.C., will be the speaker during the Bible conference March 17-18. Hunt will speak Sunday morning and evening. A "Men's Wild Game Night," featuring many kinds of meat, is scheduled for Saturday.

Workers EDMOND, Okla.-The congregation honored Pastor Jim Collinsworth and his family Dec. 31 w ith a farewell reception.

NEWS FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Pine Acres)-In honor of his years in service in the church. Vester Kliewer was affirmed Jan. 7 as deacon emeritus. He and his wife Vivian have served the congregation in other areas as well.

FRESNO, Calif. (North Fresno)Fritz Peters was ordained for ministry Dec. 31 . Participants included Henry Dick, PDC district minister.

Ron Penner of MBMSI and Connie Freeland. chairperson of NFC's board of spiritual ministries. Peters and his family have returned to their mission assignment in Thailand.

senior pastor. He and his family will be leaving North Oak Community Church in Hays, Kan., in mid-March and will assume responsibilities at Shafter April 1.

Newton, Kan. (Koerner Heights)-Frank Huebert began serving as director of student ministries Jan. 2.

He and his wife Coleen were installed Jan. 21 .

Ulysses, Kan.-Nathan and Cherylen Gift have accepted the call to serve as pastor. Gift will graduate from MB Biblical Seminary this spring and their family will move in June.

ENID, Okla--Chris Regier has accepted the newly created position of associate pastor of worship and church family care. He began his work in early January.

HENDERSON, Neb.- Pastor Clint and Carol Grenz were welcomed Jan. 20. He will speak on the theme: " Henderson MB Church: A Place to Grow and Make Disciples of Jesus Christ" druing their six-week stay.

Membership and baptism classes will also be offered.

SHAFTER, calif. (Shafter MB)-Pat Coyle has accepted the position of

Youth BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage Bible)-Youth from the congregation offered to pick up Christmas trees and take them to be recycled.

Donations were welcomed.

Deaths BARGEN, LUELLA. Mountain Lake, Minn., a member of Mountain Lake MB Church, was born Jan. 13, 1911, to George and Sara Janzen Klassen at Mountain Lake, and died

WHAT READERS SAY CO N TI N UED FR O M P AGE

ble Christian perspective.

The next president will make many decisions that will impact our future as a Christian nation. He will nominate Supreme Court Justices, appoint the new Attorney General and focus policy efforts on issues such as abortion and education.

Are these issues not important to us as Christians? Should we not care about the growing bias against Christians in general? Do we just accept evil without a fight?

Mr. Wiebe indicates we don't really live in a "divided country" but rather all pretty much want the same thing. Really?

In good conscience I cannot support a "liberal" agenda that has a strong bias in

14

favor of abortion, homosexual marriage and gambling. If we take Mr. Wiebe's position to an extreme, none of us should bother to vote, take a stand against abortion or oppose the violence and immorality promoted by Hollywood.

Mr. Wiebe correctly asks what would Jesus do. I think Jesus would want his followers to strive for unity while supporting all that is good and righteous.

Likewise, I believe Jesus would want his followers to vigorously oppose all that is wrong and evil.

Dwayne Hofer Mesa, Ariz:

FEB R U A R Y

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33

011 I{( I I N I \\ S Dec. 26, 2000, at the age of 89. On April 4, 1937, she was married t o Leander D. Bargen who predeceased her. She is survived by one son, Don ald of Ely, Minn.; one daught er, Mariette of Greencastle, Ind.; t hree sisters, Anne Christiansen of San Francisco, Calif., Gladys and husband John Stobbe of Winkler, Man., and Lorraine and husband Bill Harder of Agassiz,B.C.; one brother-i n-law, Edwin Bargen of Mountain Lake; two sisters-in-law, Anne Klassen of Wabigoon, Ont., and Nancy Bargen of Billings, Mont., and nieces and nephews.

KAETHLER. WILHELM, of Paraguay and a member of the Evangelical MB Church, was born Feb. 3, 1921, at Nikolaifeld, Russia, and died Nov. 26, 2000, at the age of 79. In M arch 1952, he was married to Frieda, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Wilfred and wife Frieda; one daughter, Wilma and husband Alfred Neufeld, and seven grandchildren.

KUEWER. MARY MARTHA LOUISE. Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born Dec. 31, 1907, to Bernard and Lena Richert Reimer at Marion, Kan., and died Jan. 1, 2001 , at t he age of 93. On Nov. 9, 1930, she was married to Joy Kliewer. Survivors include one son, Vernon Dean and w ife Lucille; one daughter, Kathleen and husband Larry Martens; six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

PENNER, DAVID H., Fairview, Okla., was born Sept. 10, 1902, t o Peter F. and Martha Ratzlaff Penner near Fairview, and died Dec. 13, 2000, at the age of 98. On Oct. 12, 1924, he was married to Laura Karber who predeceased him. On Sept. 3, 1972, he was married to Rachel Hesster Humphrey Srader who predeceased him. He is survived by one daughter, Caroline Reimer of Balko, Okla.; two st epsons, Will iam Srader of Cleo Springs, Okla., and Jack Srader of Loveland, Colo.; four stepdaughters, LaVerda Nickel of Cleo

CORRECTION: Evelyn Edna Wiens Neufeld was married to Albert C. Neufeld, not Albert C. Adams as reported in the January 2001 issue. we

"s

J

District,leader dies Charlie William Horton of

lenoir, N.C., may have been blind but his vision for reaching his community for Christ was Instrumental In the life of the North Carolina District Conference. Horton, age 91., died Dec. 28, 2000.

His Involvement with the church and community earned him the nickname "The Mayor of Bushtown."

He served the Bushtown MB Church of lenoir as head deacon, Sunday schoolteacher,superl~

dent and treasurer over the years. Horton was Instrumental In organizing a camp for all MB children In the district to attend.

In spite of his blindness, Horton would walk to church every Sunday and Wednesday night by himself and then ring the church bells.

Horton's dedication to God Inspired others, Inchld-

34·THE

Ing his pastor Terry Hunt.

"He took me In as a son and I will never forget that, " says Hunt. "There are not enough words to say about this man. I hope that when I die, I can leave a legacy like Charlie WilHam Horton."

Horton was bom Oct. 1.5, 1.909, to Carrie Horton In Wilkes County, N.C. He Is preceded In death by his wife, Murty C. Horton, and three sons, Charles, Marvin and Gary. SurvIvors Include three sons, Eugene of Mooresville, N.C., and Ralph and Larry, both of Lenoir, N.C.; two daughters, Shirley Horton of the home and Marie Williams of Charlotte, N.C.; one brother, Rockford Hatton, Jr. of Boone, N.C.; one sister, Hallie B. Horton of Boone; 1.7 grandchildren, 1.8 great grandchildren and two great.great grandchildren. -$ara Cook

CHRISTIAN

LEADER

Missionary leaves legacy George Froese of WInnipeg, Man., was the last missionary doctor to serve as the medical superintendent at the MB Medical Centre In Jadcherla, India.

The man who took his place In 1.973 stili remembers Froese's final words of encouragement.

Dr. P .B. Amold says, "Although I was young and Inexperienced In admlnf&. tratlon and had a lot of reservations about taking over the position, Dr. Froese encouraged me, saying, 'The Lord shall be with you and guide you.

My prayers will be with you.' With his encouragement and with total dependence upon the Lord, we were able to carry on the medical center to this day for the benefit of the sick and to the glory of God." Froese, who died Sept.

Springs, Bonnie and husband Don Driskell of Humble, Texas, Sharon York of Roseland, Fla., and Erna and husband Don Osborn of Mooreland, Okla; one brother, Alvin of Balko; two sisters, Lydia Kroeker of Corn, Okla., and Ruby Tren of Wauwatosa, Wis.; three grandsons, 18 step grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

SCHULTZ, LUELLA N., Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born July 22, 1916, to Isaac and Emma Neufeld Harms at Boyd, Okla., and died Jan. 7, 2001 , at the age of 84. On Jan. 9, 1943, she was married to Hubert P. Hampton who predeceased her. On Feb. 4, 1950, she was married to Robert Schultz who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Wallis of Goessel, Kan ., and Lendell of Hillsboro; one daughter, Sandra and husband Merrill Schmidt of Goessel; four brothers, Isaac and wife Annie Louise Harms of Bella Vista, Ark., Alvin and wife Ann Ruth Harms of Ulysses, Kan., Johnny Harms of Mena, Alaska, and Clarence and wife Mary Ann Harms of New Wilmington, Penn; two sisters, Ruby Schmidt of Hutchinson, Kan., and Berniece Givan of Denver, Colo.,

28, 2000, served with MBM5 Intematlonal from 1.954 to 1.987 and In 1.973. He oversaw the . medical work during .tlme when the leadership of the MB church was being passed over to the India MB Conference. While this was not art easy transition, he had many Indian friends and colleagues who held him In high respect.

He Is remembered by those who served with him as a cheerful and encouraging man and as someone who showed respect and love for the Indians with whom he worked.

Froese Is moumed ~ his wife, Annel five children, Kathrlne and Wayne Baerg, John and Martha, Margaret and Bruce Alkenhead, Tlmothy and Karen, Andrew and Christy.Lee, and 1.3 grandchildren. - ME!MSI and six grandchildren.

SIEBERT, LYDIA K., Ulysses, Kan ., a charter member of Ulysses MB Church, was born July 15, 1910, to John J. and Pauline Karber Neufeld at Plainview, Texas, and died Nov. 18,2000, at the age of 90. On Sept.

23, 1928, she was married to John W. Siebert who predeceased her.

She is survived by two sons, Lester and wife Martha of Cobdon, III., and Waldo and wife Susan of Overland Park, Kan.; four daughters, Geneva Fast and Ruby Siebert, both of Ulysses, Mary and her husband Eldon Klaassen of Wichita, Kan., and Irene and her husband Don Isaac of Meade, Kan.; one brother. two sisters, 15 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.

TOEWS. PETER KARL, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born March 15, 1911, to Peter and Suzanna Toews at Schteinfelt, Russia, and died Dec. 16, 2000, at the age of 89. On April 12, 1936, he was married to Irma Warkentin who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Ron and wife Janice, and Jim and wife Shirley, all of Reedley; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren . •

Clearinghouse Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Reach u.s.

Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad or announcement. The charge for ads is 40 cents per word, with a $15 minimum.

Withhold payment until an invoice is received. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a nocost ad. Contact the editor for more information.

EMPLOYMENT-<HURCH

Full time or bi-vocation pastor United at the Cross Community Church (UCO in Wichita, Kan ., is seeking a full time or bi-vocationa I pastor. UCC is a multiethnic, urban church plant born 5 years ago out of a partnership between World Impact and the Southern District MB Conference. The church has 33 active members and an average attendance of 50-60. We are looking for a pastor who is called by God and has a passionate love for Christ's church in all its diversity. We are looking for a pastor who is gifted in teaching and preaching God's word, who is

serious about a personal prayer life and prayer in the life of the church, and who longs to stir up God's people to be the light of Christ in a hurting community, Direct all resumes or inquiries to Marlene Ewert, 2404 W. Crawford, Wichita, Kan. 67217; (316) 944-0968, cmewick@hotmail.com.

Pastor The Rosedale Bible Church at Bakersfield, Calif., seeks a senior pastor who can shepherd a congregation in transition to a purpose-driven church. The church desires to balance the purposes of outreach, worship, friendship, discipleship and service. Direct inquiries and resumes to: Ted Thiesen, Search Committee Chair, 14601

THE ROOT OF HERITAGE THE FRUIT OF FAITH THE SEED OF THE FUTURE Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church of rural Hillsboro, Kan., will celebrate its 125th anniversary July 27-29, 2001

Fbetifeld was tbefirstMB congregation to be organized in North America by immigrantsfrom RussIa. Plans include a Sunday morning worship service, historical drama, celebration banquet, Christian Endeavor program, local tours to places of historical importance, and other activities. A history of the congregation is being published.

Inquiries and correspondence may be addressed to: Ebe1ifeIdMB Church Anniversary Committee PO ~ 152, Hillsboro, KS 67063

Embracing Hope Envisioning an Inclusive Theology of Service Women Doing Theology Conference, Waterloo May 4.;, 2001

Shaker Crest Place, Bakersfield, Calif. 93312-9281 .

He can be reached by telephone at (661) 5898464 or e-mail atthiesen777@cs.com.

Senior Pastor Topeka Mennonite Brethren Church, a growing evangelical congregation of approximately 140, is seeking a senior pastor. Our mission is to be "a vibrant community of faith and love, dedicated to passionately knowing and making known the hope and relevance of Jesus Christ." The candidate should have a passion for people, strong leadership and teaching skills, and the ability to disciple and develop leaders. Direct all resumes or inquiries to: Pastoral Search Committee, Topeka Mennonite Brethren Church, 7620 SW 21st Street, Topeka Kansas 66615; phone (785) 4782929; e-mail friesendsgn@earthlink.net

EMPLOYMENT-£DUCATION

Faculty Canadian Mennonite University seeks a candidate for a full-time faculty position for September 2001 in Conflict Transformation Studies and International Development Studies. CMU seeks candidates committed to excellence in teaching and research in interdisciplinary perspectives in both international development and conflict transformation. Candidates who are qualified in only one of these areas may also be considered.

Ph.D. in related field, and commitment to education in an Anabaptist-Mennonite context is required; field experience is desirable. CMU is a liberal arts university, formed in 1999 as an association of Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Concord College and Menno Simons College in Winnipeg, Manitoba. CMU is committed to being a center for careful reflection on the integration of faith and life. Through Menno Simons College, CMU offers undergraduate majors in international development studies and conflict resolutionltransformation studies, both on its own campus, and in association with the University of Winnipeg. Processing of applications will begin March 1, 2001. Submit applications to: Dean E. Peachey, Academic Dean, Menno Simons College, 380 Spence St., Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3B 2E9. For further information, www.cmu.caordpeachey@cmu.ca.

EMPLOYMENT-REnREMENT HOMES

J oin us for: • • •

worship, discussion, and story-telling conversations with theologians: Mary Malone of Ireland, Lydia Harder of Toronto, and Alex Lozano of Columbia Mennonite women connecting their experiences, theology of service, and understanding of God

For further information contact: Miriam Frey at (519) 885-9086 or miriamf@nonline.net

CEO Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook, Penn., seeks CEO. Requirements include Christian commitment, endorsement of Mennonite values, five years senior leadership experience. Send inquiries to Kirk Stiffney, Mennonite Health Services, 234 S. Main Street, Suite 1, Goshen, IN 46526 or fax to (219) 534-3254 or e-mail to info@mhsonline.org.

FEBRUARY

2001

•

35

EDITORIAl

For such a time as this

I

don't watch Touched by an Angel very often-I either attend small group Sunday nights or I'm chasing my twoand-a-half year-old to bed. But every once in a while I happen to catch an episode. Ironically, the last two times I tuned in, I saw the same episode--one titled "Such a time as this." Both times I was riveted.

This episode finds undercover angels Monica, Tess and Andrew assigned to a Senator Katherine Cooper. The angels present Kate with disturbing photos and testimony about the brutal slavery of men, women and children in the Sudan. (This heartbreaking atrocity was enough in itself to get my editorial juices flowing.) Kate dismisses them, citing the Sudanese government's claim that slavery doesn't exist in their country.

Well, the screws turn. Kate's young son finds one of the photos and organizes his classmates to raise funds to buy the freedom of some of the slaves.

Kate starts to contemplate the issue but slams into a professional quandary. Facing a tough 're-t;lection campaign, she is . offered the financial support of a large candy company--on the condition that she remains uninvolved in the Sudan, a country that manufactures candy ingredients at low cost. The situation deteriorates when her son's efforts receive media attention.

The screws tighten yet again. Her son shows up at her office and gives her several thousand dollars he and his classmates raised so she can travel to the Sudan to free the slaves. Though she's obviously torn, she still refuses on the grounds she can't help anyone at all if she doesn't get re-elected.

That prompts Monica to finally reveal herself as an angel to Kate. While the messages Monica often seems to bring are of God's love and healing, this time she draws a line in the sand.

"Why would God send an angel to me?" Kate asks.

"Because you are the one Kate," Monica says.

Kate is the one God has chosen to go to the Sudan, witness the slavery and tell Washington-and the rest of the worldabout it. ''You're asking me to give it all up," Kate protests.

"It is not easy to do the thing God asks of us," Monica says.

The senator's next words are interesting. She doesn't continue to protest or deny God's will. Instead she says, "I am so afraid."

Monica tells her about Esther, the Old Testament queen.

Esther had a secret. She was a Jew in a political climate where it was hazardous to be one. Esther kept that secret until she discovered that the Jewish people were in danger. She, too, was afraid to come forward.

Then, Monica says, someone told Esther, "Who knows.

Maybe this is what it's all for. Perhaps you were brought to the

36 •

THE

C H R 1ST I A N

LEA D E R

kingdom for such a time as this."

Then Monica adds something that stuck with me.

"I'll let you in on a secret from heaven," Monica says.

"Sooner or later, everyone is the one. They just have to say yes when the time comes."

I LEARNED SOME important lessons those two Sunday nights.

First, I realized that I too am "the one." Usually, however, being the one is more "ordinary" than risking my career to witness about slavery in the Sudan. For me, being the one means faithfully showing up at church two afternoons a week to spend time with neighborhood kids. Or being the one takes the form of talking about-and defending-Jesus to my non-Christian friends and risking the rolling eyes or, worse, a pitying stare.

Phillip Yancy writes in Reachingjor the Invisible God, "Great victories are won when ordinary people execute their assigned tasks-and a faithful person does not debate each day whether he or she is in the mood to follow the sergeant's orders or show up at a boring job. We exercise faith by responding to the task that lies before us, for we have control only over our actions in the present moment."

I also learned that I need to stop fighting and say yes to God. This is perhaps the hardest lesson for me. It's easy to rationalize away why I can't do what I know God wants me to do. But when Monica confronted her, Kate stopped fighting against God's will and admitted her fear. Like Kate, I often feel that cold bite of fear. But I've also come to recognize that wordless voice inside my chest and gut, and I'm learning to pay attention to it.

Saying yes has an unexpected reward. My pastor told our congregation a couple of months ago that "you have not lived until you've had the sensation of being used by God. It supercedes everything else-your inner spirit explodes."

One thing the show didn't touch on, however, is what it takes to be able to discern when and where God wants you to be "the one." Most of us don't have an angel telling us God's will. Most of the time, his voice comes to us as a result of many hours spent reading his Word, praying and communing with him. It is hard to hear his voice if you don't know what to listen for.

Here's another secret. God chooses each of us to be "the one" daily. It isn't a once in a lifetime event (though most of us will have those momentous times as well). If we say yes to God each day-to the tasks that lie before us-we will be a part of great victories.

Who knows? Perhaps you too were brought to the Kingdom for such a time as this. -CA

Spring 2000

MISSION

USA QUARTERLY

NEWS L E TTE R

Holy Mandates and Bold Vision Ed Boschman

Executive Director

There is no doubt that jesus inaugurated the church - nor that he mandated hi s followers to invest their lives for the ultimate goal of building His Kingdom on earth. T hose well known commands about making disciples in our neighborhoods and the most distant pl aces on earth would be threadbare from over use if they were not the imperi shable Holy Mandates of our Lord!

As a USA denominational family we have a stellar histo ry of church pl anting! kingdom bui lding in places beyond our own jerusal em's, but we have lagged in

believe that is what jesus would have us do, so we're counting on Him. As a part of MetroNet 2005, Phoenix has been selected as the first Target City - that means that our vision is to focus on this fast growing and soon-to-be fifth largest city in the nation (2 .8 million people) to plant five new chu rches in the next five years. That vision is titled "Mission Phoenix" .

The first of those five is about to begin its pre-launch phase. Copper Hills Community Church (the first Pacific Distri ct

It is our vision to start a church planting movement. We believe that there are several churches in our constituency that can and should birth new churches in the next five years as well. Because new churches are more effective and efficient at bringing lost people to God's family we cannot afford not to provide for these new births.

Since Mission USA began it's mi nistry in earnest some four years ago, we have successfully partnered in the emergence of fi ve new churches. Those partnerships have resulted in aggregate Sunday A.M.

(Twenty-O-Five) zeal for, commitment to, and effectiveness in reaching pre-Christians in our own neighborhoods and communities.

Mission USA has committed to lead our national constituency to reprioritizing the winning of lost people who are within our personal spheres of influence into the family jesus calls his own here on earth.

We as a US M ennonite Brethren people have affirmed that goal, and the Mission USA team has established a bold vision for the next fi ve years of ministry.

MetroNet 2005 is a holy dream to plant 20 new churches in the USA by the yea r 2005 . At ou r last board meetings we envisioned and strategized for that possibility in discuss ion w ith district leaders . It w ill take a miracle, but we

Conference - Mission USA partner church plant in Phoenix), PDC Home Missions Board, and Mission USA are partnering through a Task Force to guide and fund this new church, which will be north and west of Copper Hills Community Church in new emerging residential areas. Mike and Ruth Harrison, and daughter Grace, will be moving to Phoenix in early February to lead this project.

In just the same way that the almost three year old Copper Hills Community Church is a partner in helping to birth this latest church, we expect that the next two Phoenix church plants will do the same within the five year period, and that we'll all cooperate in yet another church start to make it 5!

attendance totals of over 700 people thi s Christmas and dozens of new believers!

This spring, two new churches are being incubated : one in the Broken Arrow community in Tulsa OK, and the new Phoenix plant mentioned above.

Our vision is bold and our mandates are holy. And we are finding that responding to the opportunities that are before us is an expensive venture. W e need churches to join us as financial partners as new churches are planted . We need individuals from our churches to hear the call of God and respond by making fina nci al contributions to fund the accomplishment of thi s bold vi sion. Pray w ith us and for us, and give from your resources . It's the ri ght cause !

Saving Lives of Loved People

By Brad Klassen

Pastor, Copper Hills Community Church (Phoenix, AZ) We had just starting praying at our monthly church prayer evening . The phone rang just after 7:00 pm . The message w as simple, "The paramedics are at your neighbors home. I don't know w hat's wrong." I got up from the circle, said " You pray. I'll go see what it is." I arri ved at the intersection leading to my neighborhood just as the fire truck was coming out. I followed it to the emergency room . "W hat is it Scott", I called to my neighbor as we simultaneo usly arrived at the hospital. "It's Amber. She swallowed a piece of c hicken. It's stuck in her throat and she can't breath."

"I'll pray" , is alii had the chance to say to Scott as he dashed into the emergency room". I did.

Compelled by Insane Love Planting a New Church in NW Phoenix

By Mike Harrison

What would cause a family to leave immediate family, over-the-top friends, secure jobs, a great home and the familiar footings of a promi nent denomination to build an off-ramp for folks screaming down the w ide road of disaster in a city where beauty is trul y in the eye of the beholder and w ith an unfamiliar denomi nation? The answer: God's insane love and absurd call on our lives compel our hearts.

The strategic plan of the M ennonite Brethren - Missio n USA MetroNet 2005 to aggressively pl ant new churches is the type of team we desired to partner and give our lives w ith. God's sovereignty is also returning Ruth and I to the city w here we attended college.

Minutes passed as I w aited for w ord . Impatient I w alked through the door that led to the ER. I fo und Amber's room and waited with 5 of the EMTs that brought her in. Moments later the doctor came out o f the room w ith relief on his face. He had gotten the The Vision in our hearts is to see God chicken out and everything would be O K. O ne of the EMTs transform the people of the area into asked, "How big a piece was it?" In the relief of the moment the a community of Christ-fo llowers, experiencing God personally and doctor simply sa id, "The size of a chicken". We looked at each expressing His love and the ancient other and then back to the doctor and his relief became our relief.

It was an truths of the Bible to amazing scene. the world around us.

EMTs shaki ng We purpose to help as Paul Robie (Pastor-SMCC) hands with the many people as and Ed Boschman pray for possible experience doctor and high the Lord's blessing over and embrace God's fiving each Mike and Ruth Harrison other. After all life-transforming love for their Phoenix efforts why not? They - together becoming Mike Miller for Broken had just saved fully engaged followArrow efforts. the life of little ers of Jesus.

2 year girl who is so loved by The Challenge for us - Extreme! Building relationher parents. ships with the people of the community, touching They had done their lives - inviting them to try the off-ramp.

Mission USA board dedicating Mike and Ruth for the what they were Phoenix, AZ church plant effort. supposed to The Evidence of God working - Lives are transdo ... what they forming. 2 families and a college student are had been trained for ... and what they loved to be apart of.. saving moving to give their lives for the work. The list of folks supporting the lives of loved people. the work, who are not affiliated with the MB Conference, grows daily. (e-mail me at hfam3@netzero.net to get on the mailing list Why are you and I a part of planting churches in the great city of to read the stories of our lives.)

Phoenix? Because Jesus saved us and all of heaven high-fived when He did. Heaven waits on tippy toes expectantly watching The Opportunities for you - boundless. Use your influence to us do what we are supposed to do by His commission ... what we move others into the game of planting new churches. Become a have been trained to do by His Spirit.. .. And what we love to be a prayer partner and financial supporter of new church plants. part of.. .. Saving lives of loved people.

Prayer changes hearts - finances created increased mi nistry options.

Each new church expands the opportunity for lives to encounter and embrace Jesus forgiveness. People's lives are at stake. Now is the time to give our lives to increase the population of heaven.

Faith and Risk We want to join faith and risk to be obedient to the call of God ...

Lessons from Starbucks

By Fred Leonard Pastor, Mountain View Community Church (Clovis, CA)

By Steve Reimer Board Chair

Mission Phoenix is a work of faith and risk as we respond to the call of God. At MUSA we believe that God has called us and given us the privilege of being a part of His passion and plan to build His church. We at MUSA believe that thi s happens as churches are renewed and new churches are planted. Just as Jonah was called to Nineveh to reach a lost city with the news of salvation we feel the call of God to reach the lost in Phoenix. W e join faith and risk and willingl y sacrifi ce our own rights and privileges and obey the call of God to see the lost find Jesus.

Therefore, we have chosen Phoenix as a target city. Can we see fi ve church planted by the year 200S? "Only by faith." Can God see it? Yes! Thus, we joi n faith and ri sk and join God in w hat He is doing in the great city of Phoenix. Brad and Elfie Klassen (Copper Hills) were our first planters and now Mike and Ruth Harri son and their daughter are moving to Phoenix to begin the second church.

Recently, my wife and I spent a weekend in the city of Portland Oregon .

We stayed in a downtown hotel and spent a couple of days doing the tourist "thing" in this beautiful northwest city.

O ne impression that remai ns w ith me is that on nearly every street corner you could find a Starbucks. Now, I like coffee, and I'll even pay more for good coffee. But in an area less than one square mile, why would Starbucks establish so many coffee shops? Wouldn't it simply lessen the profit, and make it harder for all of these separate businesses to survive? Wouldn't it be better to have one mega-Starbucks for all their local customers, keep the overhead down, and maximize profits? Well, evidently Starbucks doesn't think so. Instead, Starbucks has learned that to proliferate the community w ith conveniently located faci lities is an effective marketing strategy; it actually makes each entity more successful and builds the overall number of customers.

Jo ining them in thi s ca ll of God are Scott and Amy Huska and their three children, Jimmy and Linda Blinn and their daughter, and Chris Sullivan. These five other adults and four children are joining faith and risk and obediently responding to the call of God and relocating to Phoenix (from Fresno, CAl to make up the original core team of seven adult Jonah's and fi ve children Jonah's who are saying, "Yes Lord!". Is that enough ? Only if you and I will join them. This may not mean moving to Phoenix for you, but for some it may.

In a way, M USA's vision for church planting shares some of these assumptions. To saturate a community w ith healthy churches creates a greater public awareness of Jesus and makes Christianity something which is not easy to ignore. Even better, to have a cluster of denominationally linked churches w ith similar visions and cooperati vely managed might make our mission easier and more effective.

MUSA is comm itted to a saturation philosophy. We have chosen Phoenix Arizona as the first target city in w hich we hope to plant numerous churches. W e envision these churches working together to create a family of churches, supporting each other and collectively influencing their communities to follow Jesus.

Although we may I challenge all of us to commit to four things: First, be able to learn pray. There is a call to prayer for this church and something from these Jonah's that God will protect them and bless Starbucks, there their efforts. We pray that God brings them lost are distinct people to win for Jesus. Write or e-mail us and we differences. One will put you on a prayer team. Second, give finandifference is that cially to MUSA. We are all challenged that after we instead of being have given our tithe to our local churches that we driven to "create a prayerfully give gifts and offerings to MUSA for the profit", w e have purpose of supporting this and other church plants. been called to give Third, pray and help us find more Jonah's that God is lost people a Joe Johns and Steve Reimer speak with South Mountain calling to plant churches. Lastly, you can join us and chance to meet Community Church member (Draper, UT) pray for the next target Mission city. Will it be Jesus. To do that Mission Salt Lake, Mission Wichita, Mission Denver, though, we need Mission Minneapolis, Mission .. . ? God knows. We want to join investors. Not those seeking a financial return, but instead, faith and risk and be obedient to the call of God to our modern investors whose returns will be eternal. Our vi sion for Phoenix is a Nineveh's and we ask you to join us for the sake of lost people. large vision, one that we estimate will require w ell over a million dollars to carry out. Consider investing in something w hich will produce returns that are simply out of this world.

Challenge to Join Mission USA's Team

By Art Enns Director of Development Metronet 2005 is a big challenge for our M ennonite Brethren denomination.

The challenge is three-fold : 1Selecting the cities and specific areas the Lord wants us to plant churches; 2-Finding qualified and w illing leaders and core groups to pl ant these churches; and 3-Gatherin g the financial resources to carry out thi s vision.

Challenges are not new to any of us. We face them daily. Challenges give us opportunity to succeed by overcoming them. When they come, it is easier to meet them w hen others help - in a team.

That is true for Metronet 2005. M any people need to get involved and join the team. Since M ission USA began in 1996 we have had over 510 individuals, churches and companies get involved in

supporting this vision and effort.

Thank God! That's being part of the team.

The vision w hich led to Metronet 2005 grew from a desire to see lost people in the United States come to a personal relationship w ith Jesus Christ. Christ ca lls all of us as his followers to take his message of love, forgiveness, and salvation to everyone. That's what is driving this effort. Do you have that same vision for Ameri ca?

Christ never said being the church would be easy or w ithout a cost. Ou r projected budget for thi s fi scal year (ending May 31) is over $49 7,000. To meet this years' comm itments, we need to raise another $200,000. That's one opportunity for you to join us in this vision. God has blessed all of us w ith resources to use for his kingdom work. It's time to invest in reaching our neighbors for Christ. Please join the team and be a partner in the work God has called us to do.

(Twenty-O-Five) Mission USA Exists to encourage, facilitate, and coordinate renewal and growth in local churches and the planting of new churches, both of which shall be for the purpose of winning lost people into the family of God, thereby helping to fulfill the Great Commission.

Mission USA Board Executive Director Ed Boschman Central District Conference Loretta Jost - Vice Chair Phil Glanzer Clint Grenz - Ex-Officio Pacific District Conference Stephen Reimer - Chair Brad Barnes Brad Klassen Fred Leonard Randy Steinert Gary Wall Henry H. Dick - Ex-Officio

Southern District Conference Joe Johns Nancy Laverty Bill Loewen Roland Reimer - Ex-Officio Representatives - Ex-officio Clint Seibel (Tabor College) Jim Westgate (MBBS) MUS A Office Secretary Shirley L. Nachtigall musaNEWS Designer Mark Enns

Volume I, Number 2 Mission USA 333 West Melinda Lane Suite 200 Phoenix, Arizona 85027 623-434-3301 Main 623-434-3299 Fax ebmusa@phnx.uswest.net ©2000 Mission USA Printed in the USA